Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has made history by becoming the first woman to lead the tri-service Armed Forces Medical Services, taking over as Director General on October 1st, 2023. This appointment marks a significant milestone for women in the Indian Armed Forces, as Vice Admiral Sarin boasts a distinguished career that has seen her serve in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, a rare feat in itself.
Her expertise lies in radiation oncology, a field she specialized in after graduating from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune in 1985. Furthering her skills, Vice Admiral Sarin underwent gamma knife surgery training at the esteemed University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. She was recently appointed as a member of the National Task Force (NTF) formed by the Supreme Court in response to nationwide protests following the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital. The NTF aims to develop a national protocol to ensure the safety of healthcare workers in their workplaces.
Throughout her career, Vice Admiral Sarin has held several crucial roles. She served as Director and Commandant of the AFMC and also as the Director General of Medical Services (Air). Her exceptional service has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), the latter being bestowed upon her by President Droupadi Murmu in July for her distinguished contributions.
Beyond her medical expertise, Vice Admiral Sarin is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment. In 2020, she led a sailing expedition from Kochi to Lakshadweep, encouraging women officers to participate in adventure sports and ocean sailing. In a video shared by the Ministry of Defence, she shared an inspiring message for young girls: “Study hard, train hard, learn how to support yourself. It is only you who can handle everything on your own and let no one get on your way.”
Vice Admiral Arti Sarin’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to women across India and the world. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to excellence pave the way for future generations of women to break barriers and pursue their dreams in the field of medicine and the armed forces.