“In the Army Medical Corps, women have been around for years. We train and serve together, shoulder to shoulder. So gender is of little concern.”

General Madhuri Kanitkar is the current vice-chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). She was the former Deputy Chief Integrated Defense Staff and is one of the few women who have made it to the top of the defense industry. Armed with an MD and DNB in pediatrics, Kanitkar’s journey is nothing less than inspirational. A profession from which most women shy away from even considering, she has broken stereotypes and joined the names of stalwarts when in the Indian army. However, in a recent interview, she mentioned that gender is irrelevant, it is your professionalism and capability that makes a big difference. The recent ruling of the Supreme Court allowing permanent commission to women officers was a step pivotal to boost opportunities for women in armed forces.

“My parents and teachers never considered gender an obstacle to achieve dreams. My parents taught me and my two sisters that nothing is impossible.”

Kanitkar was born in a Brahmin family in Dharvad, Karnataka, in a family of doctors. She received the President’s Gold Medal for securing first rank throughout the three years. She even received a Best Teacher Award in 2008. Honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal; she is the third woman to hold the rank of a Lieutenant General. She has a rich experience of 22 years in research and teaching, and has proven her mettle through her illustrious career in the army. During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, she was working round-the-clock for providing relief to patients and families affected by it.

Married to Lieutenant General Rajeev Kanitkar, the couple is among the first to hold a three-star rank. She advices young women to select their careers not on the basis of gender stereotype and choose their paths to follow it with courage and confidence.

“We need to spend time developing a team and giving credit to each member. Individual brilliance has to be supported by collective competence. Also, focus, balance and time management are crucial.”

Birth Score – 4/5
Pride Score – 4/5
An impressive 8/10 Notable Brahmin Score.