Born in a small town in Haryana, Major Swati has been a role model and testament for the young generation. From being an Ayurveda Physician to serving in Army, her journey has been truly inspiring and motivating for all vaidyas, opening doors to new career path. She has been awarded with National IT Excellence Award 2009 and Pride of India Award by World Book of Records.
Family Background
Major Swati hails from Gohana, a small town in Sonepat district of Haryana. Her father, KD Sharma is a notary public; and mother, Saroj Bala is a municipal counsellor. She has a younger brother, Sachin who is a civil engineer. She is married to Maj. Sachin Bhardwaj, who hails from Satnali, Mahendragarh in Haryana and together, they have a daughter, Inayah Bhardwaj.
Ayurvedic Calling
Growing up, she was fascinated by her mother’s keen interest in traditional herbal medicine. Her mother always utilised traditional ayurvedic remedies as and when required and with a keen interest in plants, owns a small garden at home. Seeing her mother using traditional medicine and also listening to the stories of wonders of Indian System of Medicine, she opted to be an ayurveda physician.
The Healing Experience
She practiced as an Ayurveda physician for over 2 years, post completion of my graduation during which she had the privilege of working with patients from diverse backgrounds and treating a wide range of health conditions. Her notable experiences include successfully treating patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes using personalised ayurvedic protocols and conducting workshops and lectures on Ayurveda and holistic health, educating hundreds of nearby villagers about the benefits of Ayurvedic living, improving the overall health of the society.
Transition to the Army
Even though she had a fulfilling career as an Ayurveda physician, she felt a strong sense of duty to serve her country. Growing up, she was inspired by her grandfather, Jai Narain Sharma who served in Haryana Police, and she always admired his discipline, selflessness, and commitment towards his duty. She appeared for Combined Defence Services Exam and clearing SSB, secured an All India Rank four. She got commissioned into Army Service Corps post completion of her training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Joining the Army allowed her to combine her medical expertise with her desire to serve the nation while also developing new skills and perspectives as a military officer. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding transition, and she has been proud to be serving the country in this new capacity.
Navigating the Transition
She describes the role of her parents in transitioning into a different career path. Her parents had been very supportive of her in fulfilling her aspirations. However, the relative and near and dear ones were very hesitant of her joining Army. They felt like “ladki hai fauj mei jayegi to kaise manage kregi… ladai hui to kya hoga? And bla bla bla…” but with her parent’s support, she sailed through all the odds and today, it’s been 9 years of service to the nation.
Challenges and Triumphs
The Army’s physical training was intense, and she had to push herself beyond her limits. Additionally, Army demands a highly balanced professional and personal life, to serve beyond call of duty which itself is a challenge. She has been able to overcome these challenges with her family’s support and understanding before her marriage and later on with the support of her in law’s family especially her husband Major Sachin Bhardwaj’s support and resilience during all the times.
Army Life and Experiences
Although Army life is much different from civilian life, still she didn’t find it much difficult to transition from a civilian career to Army life. Discipline and dedication has been the bedrock of her civilian career as a physician as well. However, The most significant adjustment for her in transitioning from a civilian career to army life has been adapting to the unpredictable and dynamic environment. She had to trade a structured schedule for flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to respond to changing situations. She also had to adjust to the Army’s strict discipline, protocol, and hierarchy, which has been a significant shift from the autonomy and relaxed nature of her career as an Ayurveda physician.
Lasting Impressions
As an Army Officer, she feels that everyday is filled with adventure, new challenges and opportunities. Every moment you spend wearing uniform is filled with pride, selfless dedication and unforgettable experiences. However in particular, She has had the privilege of serving in most inhospitable terrains in highly active counter insurgency grid of Kupwara and Rajauri sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
She has been a force multiplier during Burhan Wani turmoil and COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring uninterrupted logistics. She was able to use her Ayurveda background to help fellow soldiers in prevention of COVID during pandamic. Being able to utilise Ayurveda in maintaining the health of troops and zero case of COVID in her unit, was truly fulfilling for her.
The Ayurvedic Edge in Decision Making
Her Ayurveda background has had great influences on her leadership approach in the Army. She prioritises well-being of her troops, considering physical, emotional, mental and social health. Her important skills as an Ayurveda physician such as observation, getting into the nook and corner of everything and empathy has helped her understand the needs of her troops, and assisted her in making informed decisions. Guided by Ayurveda’s emphasis on ‘Dharma’ (righteous living), she leads with integrity, fairness, and compassion; promoting positive impact and a holistic approach to leadership.
Key takeaways and Insights
Her career transition from an Ayurveda Physician to an Army Officer has been a transformative journey, teaching her valuable lessons that she likes to share with others. Embracing uncertainty has been a crucial part of her growth, as she has learned to be open to new experiences and challenges. She has discovered that the skills she developed in Ayurveda, such as observation and empathy, are highly transferable to her role in the army. Adaptability has been another essential lesson, as she has to adjust to new environments, cultures, and situations. Moreover, she realised that her purpose and values can transcend her profession. Serving others and making a positive impact has remained a constant thread throughout her career, and she has discovered that this sense of purpose has given her the resilience and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
A Message for all
She is an example of hope, resilience, and adaptability to all. Her journey from being an Ayurveda physician to becoming an army officer has presented many others that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion and that our experiences, no matter how diverse, can be leveraged to achieve greatness. Her story is an inspiration for others to be courageous, take risks, and believe in their ability to navigate uncharted territories. It’s also important to remember that growth often lies outside of our comfort zones, and that embracing challenges can lead to profound personal and professional growth. Ultimately, her story serves as a reminder that our careers and lives are not defined by a single path or identity, but by our willingness to evolve, adapt, and pursue our passions with purpose and determination.
