Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, the pioneering first woman Director General Medical Services (Army), made a landmark visit to the Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre & College on September 16, 2025. This visit marks an important milestone since she assumed her role on August 1, 2024, revealing a transformative era for gender diversity in India’s military leadership.
During her visit, Lt Gen Nair paid tribute at the AMC War Memorial ‘Shraddhanjali’ and reviewed a Guard of Honour, paying respect to the enduring legacy of the corps. In a Sainik Sammelan, she motivated medical troops, urging them to uphold the core motto “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (Let all be healthy), which is deeply rooted in ancient Sanskrit texts, including the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
Supporting her inspiring approach, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine highlights the effectiveness of traditional wellness practices in enhancing troop resilience. This integration reflects a sophisticated blend of cultural heritage with contemporary military health strategies.
A notable aspect of her visit was the unveiling of the sixth edition of the ‘Charak’ journal, which pays homage to the second-century physician Charaka, renowned for his pivotal contributions to global medicine. This initiative exemplifies the AMC’s commitment to advancing medical knowledge, a mission that is particularly crucial amid ongoing border tensions following the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire discussions initiated by DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai in May 2025.
During her interactions, Lt Gen Nair also met with Medical Officers (MOBC) and Battalion Non-Commissioned Officers (BNOC), motivating them to maintain operational readiness and unwavering dedication to national service.
Her visit, characterized by various ceremonial engagements and meaningful interactions, accentuates her effective leadership and the dynamic evolution of military medicine in India.
