New Delhi, March 15 : The armed forces will see a significant increase in women personnel in coming times, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed on Tuesday. Delivering a keynote address at an event organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation, the Defence Minister said that “Today, women are not only working in the Army in every wing, but now we are also giving permanent commission to them. Admission is being given to boys as well as girls in every Sainik School. The doors of NDA have also been opened for women. About two lakh women took the entrance exam last year with great enthusiasm,” he said. Talking about a number of schemes rolled out by the government, from skill development, employment to entrepreneurship, he said, “These schemes have paved way for the holistic development of women and given them confidence to forge a new identity.” The Minister made special mention of 23-year-old Vinita Singh who left a salary package of Rs one crore and launched her own startup, which has now become a Rs 300 crore company. “In 2014, only 500 startups were working in the country. By 2022, this count has crossed 60,000,” he added. He added that this ecosystem of women entrepreneurship will inspire more women and new businesses will emerge. ASU SHK2035