Long before women empowerment became the norm, Dr. Seema Rao was blazing a trail as India’s first and only woman commando trainer.
Words by Sakshi Dhingra
In a world where gender barriers still loom large, Dr. Seema Rao stands as a beacon of empowerment. A Harvard-educated immunologist turned commando trainer, she defies expectations at every turn. With the precision of a sharpshooter and the grace of a beauty queen, Dr. Seema Chopra navigates boardrooms and battlefields with equal ease. Her accolades span continents, from Forbes to Femina, recognizing her as a force of nature.
But behind the awards and citations lies a woman of indomitable spirit, determined to prove that brains, beauty, and brawn are not mutually exclusive. This is the story of how one woman’s journey became a rallying cry for millions.
What inspired you to become India’s first female special forces trainer?
I was not destined to be one. I was a doctor, but keenly interested in serving the country. I was also passionate about martial arts to make me strong. It was a chance meeting with a senior police official that changed the course of my life. I demonstrated my unarmed combat skills to him. He was impressed and asked me to train his Force. And that is where the journey all began.
Can you describe the challenges you faced as a woman in a male-dominated field?
I knew I was entering a world of tough, dedicated, highly skilled commandos. A world I was in awe of, since I was a little girl growing up reading Commando comics and seeing war movies. I knew it needed a lot of hard work physically and mentally. I worked hard on my unarmed combat skills and shooting skills.
There were frustrating moments pushing my body to its limits till it would threaten to break. And dealing with injuries with patience and resilience. Getting shot twice in random terrorist fire made me understand the unpredictability of life. And more than that, pushing my mind to reach newer heights, to never give up. To hold ground, to believe that impossible is just a word. And the only thing that could stop me is my own mind!
You’ve trained Special Forces for over two decades without compensation. What motivated you to offer your services for free?
My father was a freedom fighter, so I think there is patriotism running in my veins. I read somewhere “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”.
Since I was keen to serve the nation and I got the opportunity, I grabbed it. I spent 25 years of my prime life training 20,000 commandos travelling across the width and span of the country, going to dense jungles, ice clad mountains and valleys, scorching deserts. I kept my medical career aside, getting injured during training, went bankrupt several times. I even missed my dear father’s funeral, tending to my head injury and amnesia in the hospital. While other women were experiencing the beauty of motherhood, I made a personal choice to let go of that privilege because sacrifice is a part of life.
To achieve something, sometimes you need to give up something. But in the end, I think it was all worth it. It was my life choice, and I was in perfect harmony with it.
How has your training approach evolved over the years?
When I started training the Forces, it was unarmed combat. From there I moved on to Shooting. I was an ace shooter, so devising newer drills was challenging and mentally stimulating too.
Then, I went on to team-on-team tactics and finally close-quarter battle simulation exercises. Training would commence early morning and end into late nights outdoor training. I believe that in any thing we do, we should never stagnate, but keep improvising and upgrading.
What do you consider to be your most significant achievement in your career so far?
There are many, but there is one closest to my heart. I had an opportunity to do my para jumps under the directive of then Air Chief, Air Marshall Fali Major. Despite turbulent winds I landed safely completing my 5 jumps and earned the prestigious wings. I wear these on my chest with pride.
The media calls you the “Wonder Woman of India.” How do you feel about this title, and what responsibility does it bring?
The media has called me by many names: Iron woman, super woman, wonder woman. But I like just being called India’s first and only commando trainer. There are many wonder women out there in this world. Wonder woman probably refers to a woman who can take on the world just to be able to do what she thinks is her calling. A Woman who will brave hardships to reach her goals. A Woman who is tough and yet retains her feminine side.
For me, life is about taking things one day at a time. Living the challenges, enjoying the moment, helping women empower themselves to become better versions of themselves.
Can you share a particularly memorable experience from your years of training Special Forces?
While on a training assignment, I was traversing across a rope horizontally from one building to another at a height of 40 feet. For some reason the rope snapped. And down I came. As I came down, my back hit the building wall. I felt something snap in my back. I had broken a vertebra in my back. I knew that if I would let go of the rope, it would be the end of my life. So I held on to the rope tightly till help came and they got me down.
I was in the hospital for months. It is during trying times in life that our strength and conviction is tested. That was a test for me. Other than my supportive husband, my loved ones told me to give up my work. But I continued relentlessly. The experience gave me a better understanding of whom I am.
How do you think your work has impacted gender perceptions in India’s military and special forces?
In all sectors, women are now coming to the top. Many more young women are entering into the Forces too now. They believe that they can do what men can.
According to Wikipedia, there are more women joining the Forces today than in the past.
The Indian Air Force had 13.09% female officers in 2018 and 8.50% female officers in 2014; the Indian Navy had 6% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014 and the Indian Army had 3.80% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014.
Change is taking place.
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to enter traditionally male-dominated fields?
My advice is:
- Learn to take criticism in an objective way. Correct and obsessively work on your weak areas.
- Like men have their winning traits, so do women. You just need to tap on your resources and project them boldly to others. Express yourself without fear and without the fear of rejection. Have pride in your ideas and in yourself.
- Don’t be deterred easily if things are not going your way
- Stand strong. The tide will change in your favour.
- Life’s road is made of tribulations and also victories. Be tough and battle hardy.
- Don’t underestimate your capabilities. Keep upgrading your skills. Don’t stagnate. And above all, don’t be satisfied easily. The sky is the limit!
- Work tirelessly on your capabilities. Don’t feel intimidated by your male colleagues but create a healthy work atmosphere. Understand yourself and understand them. Do not start with a biased opinion that they look down at you, as a woman.
Looking ahead, what goals do you have for the future of special forces training in India?
Training is an ongoing process. It will keep getting refined in all training Institutions. At 50, I received the Presidents Narishakti award from the Hon President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. A year later, I retired from active field training. But I still author books on training subjects and gift these books to the Forces for their libraries. These will continue to influence the future generations. Since I’m very passionate about women empowerment, I am often invited by corporate organisations, educational institutions, and government organisations as a motivational speaker. I have also devised DARE (Defense to Rape and Eveteasing) a program to equip women to handle these kind of situations.
