Meet Akshita Dhankar who stood with President Droupadi Murmu at Flag hoisting on 26 Jan
For Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar it was a dream fulfilled. On the morning of January 26, 2026, when the national flag was unfurled at Kartavya Path, Akshita Dhankar stood close to Droupadi Murmu President of India, assisting in the unfurling of the Tricolour flag. It is a moment few officers experience, and for Dhankar, it marked the fulfilment of a dream come true that began years ago in a small village in Haryana.
For aspiring candidates, particularly young girls, the moment was a defining one. The flag-hoisting ceremony, now in its 77th year, represented a dream many hold, to stand beside the President of India in the midst of one of the nation’s most solemn moments of pride.
The unfurling of the flag also reminds the country of a fresh start
after Independence, when India emerged as a a constitutional democracy.
It was the moment when the nation and its citizens were bound by a Constitution that turned out to be the supreme authority guiding how the country would be governed.
Dhankar’s accomplishment reflects how far that journey has come.
More than 70 years following Independence, her presence at Kartavya Path stands as a symbol of the evolving role of women in national life and the intensification of self esteem young girls take in serving the country, as their participation in institutions like the armed forces continues to escalate.
Kasni village, born Dhankar matured in a region where the armed forces are part of everyday conversation.
Her father had once participated in a Republic Day parade, and the stories he brought home left an intense impression. Watching the parade as a child, she began imagining herself one day in uniform, part of that carefully choreographed display of national pride.
That dream took shape amidst her college years at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, University of Delhi. As a cadet in the National Cadet Corps, Dhankar found structure, discipline, and purpose.
She rose to the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major, leading fellow cadets and learning to stay calm under pressure. Those years in the NCC turned out to be the foundation for what would come next.
Determined to join the Indian Air Force, she appeared for the Air Force Common Admission Test and was later recommended by the Air Force Selection Board in Mysore.
She was commissioned in June 2023 as a Flying Officer in the Administration branch, part of the 211 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course. Today, she serves as a Flight Lieutenant, handling responsibilities that keep Air Force units functioning smoothly, from personnel coordination to logistical planning.
Her selection for the 77th Republic Day Parade is in recognition of that steady work.
On January 26, she took part in one of the country’s most important ceremonies, as the parade highlighted the evolving face of the armed forces. This year’s event also featured women Agniveers in the Air Force band and operational displays reflecting recent joint military efforts.
The preparation has been demanding. Long rehearsals, early mornings, and strict precision have defined the last few months. Yet Dhankar says the effort feels small compared to the honour of representing the Air Force before the nation.
In Kasni, her achievement has stirred quiet pride. A small community event, where young girls sang in her honour, captured the sense of possibility her journey has created. For many, she now stands as proof that service and opportunity can grow from the most ordinary beginnings.
Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar’s story is not about sudden fame, but about steady commitment. From NCC drills to Kartavya Path, her path reflects a changing Indian Air Force, one where more women are stepping forward, not as symbols, but as professionals shaping the future of the service.
News Edit KV Raman
