Colonel Seema Mishra is poised to make history as the first female principal of Captain Manoj Pandey UP Sainik School in Lucknow, the oldest Sainik School in the country. This significant appointment comes after an extended period of dedicated advocacy and intervention by the Army, ultimately leading to the approval of her appointment by the Uttar Pradesh government.
The appointment clears the way for Colonel Rajesh Raghav, who has held the principal position since January 2021, to be relieved of his duties. Prior to this, the Ministry of Defence had submitted a panel of three serving officers for consideration for the principal’s role. The selection committee, which was chaired by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, recommended Colonel Seema Mishra for the position, a recommendation that was subsequently endorsed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Colonel Mishra brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Vice-Principal at Sainik School Kapurthala. She is currently based at an Army Education Corps (AEC) unit in Ambala. The selection of Mishra gained urgency when the Army issued a suo motu movement order for Colonel Raghav due to repetitive reminders to the state government regarding his release and the need for a replacement.
Her appointment is especially poignant given her personal background. Col Mishra’s husband, Colonel Nitish Rai, made the ultimate sacrifice in 2010 during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously for his bravery in saving numerous lives during a bomb attack near the Indian Embassy in Kabul.
The Defence Ministry had initially requested Col Raghav’s release nearly two years ago, alongside the panel of three officers, which included Colonel Vikas Samyal and Colonel Kamal Kapoor. Since that time, Colonel Kapoor has been assigned to the Northern Command, leaving Colonel Mishra to take the lead in this esteemed institution.
This appointment not only symbolizes a breakthrough for gender representation in military educational leadership but also aligns with the progressive steps taken by the UP Sainik School, which welcomed female cadets for the first time in 2018. The addition of Colonel Mishra as principal further underscores the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence in military education.
