NEW DELHI: At about 8.45 pm on Monday, a woman Army officer, a Lt Col as it turned out later, strode into Delhi's India Habitat Centre to celebrate the "victory" in the Supreme Court. She was clad in a bright red top that was paired with smart denims. Moments later, another woman officer, this time a Major, walked in. She, too, wore red. By about 9.30 pm, dozens of women officers, many sporting red, were milling around the pool side of the swank eatery, The Deck. They shook hands and laughed. Almost all greeted each other saying, "We have won".As they embraced fellow officers who had been involved in the fight for permanent commission in the Army -- their ranks swelling from 11 women who had initially moved the Delhi high court in 2010 to 70 eventually -- they asked for the volume of the music to be turned up. After a while a cake suddenly appeared. It was adorned in olive green -- the ubiquitous symbol of the Army -- and was topped with a chocolate battle tank."This is just the beginning. That day isn't far when all of you women will soon be part of the Armoured Corps ," said Supreme Court advocate and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi , who has been representing the officers pro bono since the case started a decade ago."I first thought I would come riding on my Royal Enfield 500 cc. But then I thought the party could go on for a while and driving back late didn't seem like a great idea. It's a memorable day for all of us," said Lt Col Anupama Agarwal Though Agarwal missed out on the red -- the dress code for the evening -- she said she forgot that in the hurry to celebrate."We have lived enough entangled in events of the past (in court). The time has now come to enjoy the present and continue to work with unflagging passion," said Lt Col Anjali Bisht The women discussed their future plans, calling each other by imaginary ranks -- Brigade Commander, Corps Commander -- that they would someday get. They wished and hoped some of them would lead a command. Most said they don't regret missing out on promotions due to their ongoing legal dispute.As plates full of cheese, salads, pizza, croquettes were passed around as part of a seven- course meal, Lekhi joked that should would have to insist on a "gluten free, diet-conscious meal." A few smiled and said they were equally light eaters, but fortunately wouldn't have to stick to "gluten-free food".