Who is Captain CR Leena – First woman to receive Sena Medal for Gallantry?

Siddhant Sandhu
April 29, 2023
7095

The Indian Army is a symbol of strength and loyalty, with a rich history and unrivaled valor. Traditionally the domain of men, the Indian Army has recently undergone a remarkable transformation with the inclusion of women in its ranks. Women in the Indian Army have established a path of strength, resilience, and steadfast commitment, breaking down gender boundaries and smashing preconceptions. This revolutionary step not only marks a key milestone in the nation’s military scene but also demonstrates Indian women’s tenacious spirit. In this article, we will learn about Captain CR Leena who was the First Woman Recipient of the Sena Medal (Gallantry).

Captain CR Leena – First Woman to Receive Sena Medal

Captain CR Leena is a former Indian Army officer. She is the first woman officer in the Indian Army to be awarded the Sena Medal (SM) for valor. Captain CR Leena joined the Indian Army’s Army Medical Corps (AMC) in 1989 as a lieutenant. CR Leena was stationed in Kashmir’s Anantnag area in 1992, and after five years of service, she retired from the Indian Army as a captain in 1996.

Early Life of Capt Leena

Captain (Dr) CR Leena cleared the all-India Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) entrance examination in 1984 after completing her schooling in the science stream and attended the AFMC, where she pursued her MBBS. She earned her Master of Surgery (MS) in Oncology at the Army Hospital Research And Referral (R&R) from 1989 to 1990.

Journey of Capt CR Leena

In 1989, Captain CR Leena received an appointment as a lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps (AMC) of the Indian Army. CR Leena joined the Indian Army in 1992 and was stationed in Kashmir’s Anantnag area for five years before retiring as a captain in 1996. CR Leena worked as a junior resident doctor at Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi after leaving the army in 1996. She was promoted to senior resident doctor in the same institution in 2000. She stayed there till the end of 2001. CR Leena worked as a clinical assistant at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) between 2002 and 2003. She left Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre in 2004 to work as an associate consultant at Rockland Hospital in New Delhi.

She worked as a consultant at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi from 2008 to 2013. She left Fortis in 2014 to work as a consultant at Dharamshila Cancer Centre. In 2015, she departed the Dharamshila Cancer Centre. CR Leena began working as a surgical oncology consultant at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre in 2016.

Story of Capt CR Leena

On the night of July 15-16, 1992, at approximately 0200 hours, the 3/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) were conducting operations in Nagum Village, Anantnag District, Kashmir Valley. Captain CR Leena was on her way to Nagum, Kokarnag in the Kashmir Valley, with the battalion headquarters. About one kilometer from the battalion headquarters, the Delta company, which was leading the battalion column, was ambushed by anti-national elements. Due to the continued heavy automatic fire from the militants, one OR was seriously injured by a machine gun burst on his thigh and could not be evacuated to the rear. Captain CR Leena reacted to the call of duty and stepped forward to help the injured, unconcerned about the shower of bullets.

Delta Company was under heavy fire as the individual was being treated. Captain CR Leena provided quick first aid to the individual who was losing a substantial amount of blood due to the injuries while under heavy fire from anti-national elements. She saved the life of a wounded soldier by providing prompt first aid, and he was later flown to 92 Base Hospital by helicopter. Captain CR Leena was the only female medical officer assigned to an infantry battalion in the field. She stayed with the battalion throughout its time in the Kashmir Valley of her own volition.

With her courage and resilience in such challenging conditions, she endeared herself to soldiers and citizens alike. During the unit’s stay in the valley, she provided medical assistance to civilians, particularly women, in all of the villages where the battalion operated. She also developed a significant number of intelligence sources and gathered vital information on the activities of anti-national elements. Captain (Miss) CR Leena was recommended for the Sena Medal for her “outstanding courage, devotion to duty, and professional commitment.” On 15 January 1995, during the Indian Army Day parade, CR Leena was awarded a Sena Medal (SM) for gallantry.

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