Lieutenant Pragati Thakur from a small village in Himachal Pradesh has scripted history by winning the prestigious Silver Gun Trophy, awarded to the Best Young Officer in the Army’s Artillery branch.
Hailing from Kahdog village in the Arki area of Solan district, Lt Pragati is the only woman from the state to have achieved this distinction. She is also among a select group of female officers in the Army to receive the coveted military honour, which recognises excellence in training, leadership and professional competence.
The achievement has sparked celebrations in her native village and across the Arki region, with residents extending their congratulations to Lt Pragati and her family.
Military officials regard the Silver Gun Trophy as one of the most prestigious awards for young artillery officers. Her accomplishment is being seen as a source of inspiration for young women not only in the state but across the country.
Lt Pragati has maintained an outstanding record throughout her military career. She was also awarded a gold medal for emerging as the best performer of her batch at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, in March 2025.
During her training at the academy, she was entrusted with several leadership responsibilities and served as the Academy Under Officer, the highest appointment a cadet can hold at the OTA. The role reflected her exceptional discipline, leadership qualities and professional aptitude.
Lt Pragati attributes her dedication to the armed forces and spirit of national service to her family. Her father, Honorary Captain Balak Ram, is an Army veteran, while her mother, Meena Thakur, has been a constant source of encouragement and support.
She completed her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jutogh, and later graduated from Government College, Sanjauli, in Shimla. Her association with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) played a crucial role in shaping her leadership skills and discipline, laying the foundation for a career in the defence services.
Her latest achievement marks another milestone in a remarkable journey and reinforces the growing role of women in India’s armed forces.
