US President Barack Obama’s visit to India for the Republic Day parade is on the path of turning out to be a gigantic public relations success for the Narendra Modi government. The defence forces, in a first, chose women officers to lead their marching contingents during the Republic Day parade on January 26. Wing commander Puja Thakur of the Indian Air Force led the guard of honour in the Raj Bhavan in what is being hailed as a inspiring move by the Modi government. Stunned at receiving a praise from Barack Obama on Tuesday, Wing Commander Pooja Thakur, who led the Inter-Service Guard of Honour inspected by the US President at Rashtrapati Bhavan, stated “it feels good”.

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur Appreciated by US President:

Wing Commander Thakur of the Indian Air Force led the ceremonial welcome of the US President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. Thakur, who joined IAF in 2000, belongs to the executive department and is at present posted at ‘Disha’, the publicity cell beneath the Directorate of Personnel Officers on the Air Drive Headquarters.

“President Obama was given a 21-gun salute at the forecourt of the majestic presidential palace, after which Wing Commander Thakur walked him for the inspection of the Guard of Honour. She is the first woman officer to lead a tri-services Guard of Honour.”

IAF’s Pooja Thakur “feels good” to be appreciated by Obama:

Obama stated the sight of “unimaginable” Indian ladies within the Armed forces was one in every of his “favorite issues” on his India go to as he burdened that a nation turns into profitable when their ladies make progress.

“One of the favourite things on this trip for me has been to see all these incredible Indian women in the Armed forces including the person who commanded the guard that greeted me when I arrived (at Rashtrapati Bhavan). It’s remarkable. It is a sign of great strength and progress,” he said amidst a thunderous applause from the crowd and his wife Michelle, who accompanied him to the venue at Siri Fort Auditorium.

“It feels good that we have been able to achieve our aim of giving him a befitting Guard of Honour. I am glad that he has appreciated” said surprised Thakur.