Indian-origin Dr Smriti Murali Krishna has created history by being sworn in as the Chaplain Captain of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Smriti, a senior biomedical researcher and project manager, is the first Hindu Indian woman ever to grace the post after she was sworn in on Tuesday in Melbourne by ADF Director General Gary Pope.
Smriti says that her role as a Chaplain Captain entails providing spiritual and religious provision to soldiers.
“I’m getting an opportunity to serve those who serve.”
Smriti is confident that being able to meet Australian soldiers, she will be able to help in their emotional well-being by providing spiritual support.
Smriti has joined the ADF and has been appointed as an officer in the Australian Army Reserve. She will be doing the Chaplain Captain’s job part-time as she will continue with her research on stem-cell treatment.
Her first posting as Chaplain Captain is with the 4th Prince of Wales’ Light Horse Regiment at Simpson Barracks in Greensborough.
“I will have to go for training to both Canberra and Syndey with a one year in probation. But since I am in a reserve position, I can be in Victoria.”
Smriti, originally from Kerala in India, is the daughter of former forensic director Murali Krishna and Shantha Devi.
In 2006, Smriti came to Australia after completing her PhD in cancer biology at the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
To become a Chaplain Captain, she underwent a series of examinations, rigorous physical tests and interviews, while doing her research on regenerative therapies and pathological changes underlying cardiovascular diseases.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Smriti’s mother Shantha and her friend Dr Priya Sivadas, a paediatrician based in Sydney.
Smriti’s twin daughters Rishika Nair and Nikhitha Nair could not make it to the event as they are studying dentistry at James Cook University in Cairns, Queensland.
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