Captain Harshita Raghav Leads India's R-Day Animal Parade

On January 26, 2026, Captain Harshita Raghav will make history as the first woman officer to lead the Remount and Veterinary Corps animal contingent at India's 77th Republic Day parade. The moment fulfills a dream that began when she was eight years old, sneaking an injured stray dog into her bedroom at night.

Harshita grew up as a "fauji kid," moving across India as her father, a Group Captain in the Air Force, was transferred from post to post. She attended schools from the Northeast to Maharashtra, but one thing remained constant: her love for animals.

That childhood rescue dog became part of her family for 17 years, only after young Harshita refused to attend school until her parents brought it back. The experience cemented her path toward becoming a veterinarian who could heal animals that couldn't speak for themselves.

After earning her veterinary science degree from Mumbai Veterinary College, she joined the first batch of women officers inducted into the RVC in 2023. "It is the perfect combo—being in the Armed Forces and serving animals," she says.

Her excellence showed immediately. During the rigorous 20-week training at Officers Training Academy in Meerut, she earned the "Best Officer" award in her batch of 20, recognized for leadership and overall performance.

The training demanded everything military officers receive: weapon training, drills, physical fitness standards, plus specialized veterinary care for service animals. "Military training is equal for all," she emphasizes, noting zero discrimination based on gender.

Why This Inspires

Captain Harshita's journey represents more than personal achievement. She leads a contingent featuring Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and indigenous breeds—many appearing on Kartavya Path for the first time.

These animals serve as silent warriors in extreme terrains, from high-altitude borders to disaster zones. Harshita knows each one individually, reading their unique signals and building bonds since animals can't voice their needs.

She remembers watching Republic Day parades as a child, mesmerized by the "bahadur bachche" riding elephants. She would ask her parents what bravery she needed to join them someday.

Her father recently reminded her of those innocent questions. "I still have the photographic memory of seeing those kids sit on the elephants and go down the Kartavya Path," she recalls. "Now I will be there too."

As millions watch the parade, they'll witness skill fused with resolve, a daughter carrying forward her father's legacy, and the Army's evolving inclusivity on full display. True strength often walks on four legs, guided by those who listen to the unspoken.