May 2017
Life History
1. Shaheed Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat proudly served in the Indian Navy before her tragic and untimely demise in the naval maritime patrol aircraft crash on the night of 24 March 2015, off Goa during search and rescue operation. Lt. Kiran Shekhawat, country`s first woman officer to die in the line of duty. She was called `Iron Lady` by her peers and superiors. She was cremation with full military honours on 29 March 2015.
2. The Village panchayat provided around 2 acres of land for cremation. The Hon`ble Chief Minister of Haryana visited cremation site and announced: -
(a) Development of Shaheed Park on her name at 2 acres Land provided by Village Panchayat Kurthala (Nuh) Haryana.
The same has been developed.
(b) Construction of a Girls Collage at Kurthala (Nuh) Haryana and naming as Shaheed Lt. Kiran Shekhawat Girls Collage.
The work is yet to start. .
(c) 7.5 Kilometres of Road stretch between Chechera and Village Bighwali is to be renovated and named after her.
The road has been renovated and named after Shaheed Lt. Kiran Shekhawat. The further widening of the same road has been sanctioned by the Haryana Govt.
3. Respecting her utmost commitment and dedication, the family has established a society in March 2016 named ``Lt. Kiran Shekhawat Foundation`` to work for weaker section of society and to organize periodical events those can serve as an inspiration to young generation and to serve their country with same passion, devotion and dedication. The events would also be a motivation factor for the youth of India to join the Armed Forces and serve for the nation. In addition, activities related to `swachh bharat mission` and environment friendly are to be carried out from time to time.
Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat, born on 01 May 1988 in Mumbai, was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 05 Jul 2010. A first class graduate in B.Sc. (Physics) from Andhra University, her schooling was done in various KV schools across the country, including three and half years in Japan International School, Tokyo, Japan where, her early command over Japanese language was appreciated at all levels. Born in a naval family, it was her dream to serve for the country that drove her to join the Indian Navy in Combat Role.
She joined the Indian Navy in 2010 as a Commissioned Officer (11th Naval Orientation course & 5th SSC Observer Course) and completed her training on 10 Feb 12, wherein she was awarded with Observer Wings (Dornier Aircraft). Thereafter she did two operational tenures as Staff Observer in INAS 311, INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam and in INAS 310, INS Hansa, Goa. She undertook many operational missions during her tenure with both the Eastern & Western fleets of Indian Navy. She also represented Indian Navy in Singapore Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX), held with Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in Singapore in 2013. She was a fully qualified and operational ‘Cat C’ Dornier Observer who had over 750 hours of flying experience. She also represented the Indian Navy in its first ever all women officers contingent in the Republic Day Parade, 2015. Lt Kiran Shekhawat was one of those rare and accomplished women officers who achieved more in her tenure within the Navy than many of her contemporaries.
On the night of 24th Mar 2015, during an operational night flying exercise, the Indian Navies Dornier aircraft crashed 25 miles of the coast of Goa killing the sole Observer (Lt Kiran Shekhawat) and the Co-Pilot (Slt Abhinav Nagori). She became the first ever Woman Officer in all three services, to die in active line of duty and sacrificed her life for the nation.
Married to Lt Vivek Singh Chhoker (IN), then Gunnery Officer II on INS Nirbhik, on 05 Feb 13, they made an ideal naval couple who always kept service before self and family. Lt Kiran Shekhawat was bold, courageous, upright and an efficient naval officer who performed her duties with devotion and dignity. She set very high standards of performance for herself and the team that worked under her. Passionate about her work, far sighted in her vision, she accepted all challenges with pride and was always poised to change the face of the role played by the Women Officers in the Indian Navy. She was an ideal daughter, sister and wife who always made her family proud with her devotion towards the nation and brought laurels to the family.
Born in the Navy, joined the Navy, married in the Navy and gave her life for the navy, her life was all about Indian Navy.