Major Priya Jhingan, Major Priya Jhingan Leadership Academy

Visionary

Priya believes that the best sermons are lived and not preached, and it is only by taking inspiration from one’s own life can one lead others into living a wholesome and worth while life. Having had the good fortune of living a life punctuated with challenges, opportunities and the gifts of learning and experience, she feels it is time now to share them with the youth. It is true that leadership cannot be taught, but it can definitely be learned. She has envisioned the MPJ Leadership Academy to prepare a community of young inspiring leaders. Aligning with the vision of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, she has embarked on a mission to overcome the shortage of leadership, which is the root cause of all other shortages in our country.

Motivational Speaker

Major Priya is a passionate story teller and a zealous speaker. Her varied and vast experiences allow her to share her personal stories with the audience. She keeps the audience engaged with her humour, questions and life experiences. She is an empathetic speaker who understands the needs of the audience, thus able to establish a connection with them and inspire them to bring about a profound change on a mental and personal level and motivates them to be their best version.

Army Career

Priya Jhingan was instrumental in advocating the cause of women’s induction into the Indian Army by writing a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, way back in the late 80’s, appealing to him to permit women to join the Indian Army. Soon after, the Indian Army opened its doors for women, and after an arduous series of tests and interviews, a batch of 25 lady cadets was inducted into the Indian Army, on 21st September 1992, thus creating history. Priya Jhingan is Lady Cadet No.1 of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

Her dream having been actualised, she gave her best during the gruelling training at the Officers Training Academy and excelled in all spheres. She was awarded the Silver Medal during the Passing Out Parade at the Academy on 6th March 1993.

In March 1993, Priya became the first woman to be commissioned into the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the Indian Army. She topped the Young Officers’ Course and was awarded an‘Instructor Grading’. During her career, she conducted several Courts-Martial, defended military cases in High Courts, trained troops and staff in legal procedures and ran a disciplined and motivated team successfully for 10 years. After finishing her contract with the Army, she always says,‘The army left me, I did not leave the army’, as the first batch of women officers did not have an option to continue beyond 10 years.

In February 2018, Priya was recognised and felicitated by the President of India as the First Woman who join the Indian Army, along with 112 ‘First Ladies’ who have been pioneers in different fields in India.

Leadership & Soft Skills Trainer

Major Priya possesses a thorough knowledge of various aspects of leadership, personality development and grooming. She has effectively trained a vast swathe of individuals belonging to various fields. She has vast experience in helping candidates in preparation for ‘Personal Interviews and Group Discussions’ and has facilitated placements of several candidates. Her outstanding interpersonal communiqué coupled with motivational and leadership acumen enable her to connect and motivate corporate teams during outbound programs, facilitating them on a journey of self-awareness and constant evolvement.

Media Journey

Having successfully completed a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Major Priya took up the responsibility of publishing a Weekly Magazine ‘SE Feminie’for Sikkim Express. She brought more than 50 women achievers into the limelight through her lucid articles on ‘Woman of the Week.’ She always had a strong media appeal, as she always stood up for the Armed Forces and its ethos. She consistently supported the issue of permanent commission of women in defence forces, even if the privilege did not apply to her own batch.

Teacher & Mentor

Major Priya worked with the prestigious Lawrence School, Sanawar for 8 years. She taught English to the students, ranging from Class 5 to class 9. She stimulated a sense of learning in the students and stirred them towards participating in debates and declamations. She was House Mistress to the girls from the age group of 12 to 18 and mentored them into becoming good students and better human beings. In 2017, she was sent for an Exchange Program to Fessenden School, Massachusetts, USA to showcase the learning environment of schools in India and to understand their education system. Not only did she groom the young souls, but also inspired them by running cross-country with them, leading treks and in 2019, summiting Mt Kilimanjaro (19340 feet).

Adventurer

Major Priya is a trained skier and mountaineer. She has done skiing courses in Gulmarg in India and Almaty in Kazakhstan and led a 100 km 'All Women White Water Rafting Expedition' on River Ganga. An ardent mountaineer, she was part of the ‘All Girls Mountaineering Expedition of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, which summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2019. She has led numerous treks to Hamta Pass and Chandrakhani Pass in Himachal Pradesh. In 2008, Major also participated as a contestant and trainer in Khatron Ke Khiladi Session 1.

"Create The Highest, Grandest Version PossibleFor Your Life, Because You BecomeWhat You Believe"- Oprah Winfrey

"Create The Highest, Grandest Version Possible
For Your Life, Because You Become
What You Believe"
- Oprah Winfrey