She will also become the first graduate of AFMC to receive all three top honours, namely, Sword of Honour, President’s Gold Medal and Kalinga Trophy.
Lt Gen D P Vats, Director and Commandant, AFMC, said, "Ladies have been serving in the Armed Forces medical services with distinction. The selection of a lady doctor to receive the Sword of Honour, in addition to other academic awards, marks the entry of women into a position that has been the exclusive domain of males."
"Awasthi will be given these awards at the passing-out parade of the 45th course on March 18," he said.
Awasthi hails from Rae Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. She did her schooling from K-V Bolarum in Secunderabad, before joining the AFMC in Pune in 2006
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks