India, Feb. 6 -- LUCKNOW Col Seema Mishra, 47, took charge as the principal of the Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Uttar Pradesh Sainik School in Lucknow, becoming the first woman army officer to lead the 65-year-old institution. She laid wreaths at the War Memorial, addressed cadets, staff in the auditorium and interacted with the alumni, discussing how together they can work in unison to take the institution forward to restore its pristine glory.

Col Mishra took over charge from Colonel Rajesh Raghav, who had been serving as principal since January 2021. Her appointment for a two-year period on deputation was approved following a letter issued by the Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defence on October 30.

The institution was est...