It made for a photograph worth more than any words and summed up what india stood for. At the Operation Sindoor press briefing in New delhi on May 7, joining forces with Overseas Secretary vikram Misri were bright girls army officials Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing commander Vyomika Singh.
An alumnus of the Maharaja Sayajirao university of Baroda (MSUB), Col. Qureshi, who is an officer from the indian military's Corps of Indicators, belongs to a family with a long military history. Her grandfather served inside the military at the same time as she was married to Primary Tajuddin Qureshi of the Mechanized Infantry.
Col. Qureshi, who is from Vadodara, did her MSc in Biochemistry at MSUB in 1997 and joined the indian army in 1999. In 2006, she served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo as a military observer. She monitored ceasefires and supported humanitarian efforts, gaining valuable experience in struggle decisions and international cooperation.
Due to the fact that since 2010, Col. Qureshi has been related to the Centre for United Countries Peacekeeping Operations in New Delhi. She has additionally served in counterinsurgency postings across india, which honed her abilities in excessive-strain environments.
Qureshi's most celebrated success came in march 2016, when she became the first female officer to steer a forty-member indian army contingent at Workout Pressure 18, the largest foreign military exercise hosted by india, held in Pune. This multinational exercise had participation from 18 ASEAN Plus international locations, along with America, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea, the point of interest being on Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA).
As the simplest lady contingent commander among the participating countries, Col. Qureshi's leadership changed into a pivotal role in educating troops and fostering interoperability. Commenting on her leadership at the time, then Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat had stressed that Qureshi's leadership traits and dedication had been properly earned, not mere tokenism. "Inside the Navy, we believe in the same opportunities and identical responsibilities. Sophia Qureshi embodies leadership qualities that transcend gender barriers," he had stated.
As Prof. hitesh D. Raviya, officer on unique responsibility (public relations and conversation) at MSUB, stated, "Sophia Qureshi's presence at the [university] branch in advance and her leadership nowadays on the battlefield are part of the equal continuum of excellence. Col. Sophia Qureshi stands as a beacon of inspiration for each scholar of MSU Baroda."
Col. Qureshi's brother, Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi, described her May 7 presser as the family's proudest moment. "Not anything greater than a member of our own family briefing the kingdom [about Operation Sindoor]," he said. Recalling his sister's brave streak considering her formative years, Sanjay brought up, "She suffered fractures whilst studying to cycle; however, nothing should deter her."
Col. Qureshi has turned out to be an icon for young Indians. She actively encourages younger women to enroll in the navy, giving lectures in schools and colleges, including beneath Operation Sadhbhavna inside the kashmir Valley, to encourage women to pursue army careers. Her message is apparent: "Be part of the military. Work hard for the USA and make absolutely everyone proud."
In january this year, Col. Qureshi visited her alma mater—the department of biochemistry at MSUB—where she was warmly welcomed by the college and former instructors. Her go-to turned into an inspiring moment for students and staff.
At the same time as Col. Qureshi is presently posted in Uttar Pradesh, her brother and father, Taj Mohammad Qureshi, live in the Tandalja location of Vadodara, which has, over the past decade, ended up a deeply polarized metropolis. But one can also 7, representing the indian military and the Operation Sindoor media briefing with Wing commander Vyomika Singh. Col. Qureshi broke several stereotypes and gender norms and strengthened the idea of india as a rustic nation united in its range.
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