Major Beena Tiwari: New Sensation of the Indian Army

The picture of her receiving a kiss on the cheek from a Turkish woman went viral on social media, leading to Tiwari being praised as a national hero. The official Twitter handle of the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) shared the photo with the caption ‘We Care’, which led to Tiwari receiving a plethora of positive feedback, including admiration from industrialists like Anand Mahindra, who called her a global representation of India.

In an interview with ETPanache Digital, Tiwari discussed her experience in Turkey, her tactics for managing a demanding job, and finding a work-life balance. Tiwari comes from a family of army personnel, including her father, Subedar Major Mohan Chandra Tiwari, who served in the 16 Kumaon Regiment, and her grandfather, Khilanand Tiwari, who was part of the Ordnance Corps. Tiwari recounted her experience working as a medical officer in the 60 Para Field Hospital, where the army established a makeshift hospital in Iskenderun, Hatay.

Tiwari and her team worked around the clock, attending to almost 4,000 patients per day. She coped with the stress by finding motivation in seeing her patients respond positively to her treatment and gaining their trust. Tiwari's father remains her inspiration, with his ‘never-say-never’ attitude towards life and readiness to confront challenges head-on. Tiwari believes in prioritising duty ahead of everything else and imbibing her father's work ethic. She considers the Indian Army an excellent place for women who have a thirst for adventure and wanderlust, but acknowledges that the job comes with its fair share of challenges, both physical and mental. She believes that stress management is an ongoing process and that engaging in sports or recreational activities is crucial to finding one's happy space and recharging.

Tiwari was initially overwhelmed by the sudden fame that came with the viral photograph, but seeing her parents proud of her inspired confidence. Many young girls messaged her, saying she had encouraged them to pursue a career in the armed forces.

Tiwari stresses the importance of having a good support system, especially for women in high-stress careers, to maintain work-life balance. Tiwari's family, including her husband and father-in-law, have all served in the military, providing her with unconditional support. She believes that anyone can be a superwoman as long as they possess grit, a can-do attitude, and a desire to positively impact others' lives.