Surgeon Sub-Lieutenant Shikha Awasthi, MBBS topper from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) became the first lady officer to receive the ‘sword of honour’ at the passing put parade of the 45th course of the AFMC. Shikha Awasthi has achieved no ordinary feat. She has become the first woman doctor to receive the sword of honour for overall excellence at the passing out parade of the 45th course of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)! What’s more, Awasthi will also receive the President’s gold medal and the Kalinga trophy for overall academic excellence. Woo Hoo! Daughter of Santosh Kumar Awasthi, an ex-armyman who is currently employed with the State Bank of India, Shikha always dreamed of a career in the defense forces.
Attributing her success to her supportive parents and the faculty at the Armed Forces Medical College, she has chosen to serve in the navy. “I opted for the navy as my parents live in Hyderabad. This way, I get to be closer to them. Otherwise, all three services – the army, navy and air force – are as good as each other,” she explains.
Her achievements at the AFMC include distinctions in 12 subjects, 20 academic awards, topping all MBBS exams in the college and standing first in the university in the final MBBS (part-I) exams. That’s one heck of a record, don’t you think?
Though she is unclear about the precise subject of her post-graduate specialisation, it is most likely a choice between general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology.
source: idiva
