Operation Sindoor: Biochemist who left PhD for the uniform | India News

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi addresses the media concerning ‘Operation Sindoor’ missile strike after Pahalgam terror assault

VADODARA: The metropolis swelled with satisfaction on Wednesday morning as its warrior, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, took centre stage to deal with the nation on Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the terrorist assault in Pahalgam.“Only women know the importance of ‘sindoor’,” stated a proud Hanima, Col Qureshi’s mom. “Even my daughter’s son, who turned 18, is preparing to join the IAF,” stated Hanima.“I am proud of my daughter. My family has always followed the principle of ‘Vayam Rashtre Jagrayam (We will keep the nation awake and alive)’. We are Indian first, and then Muslim,” stated Taj Mohammed Qureshi, Col Qureshi’s father.

As a third-generation navy officer, Col Qureshi carries ahead a proud household custom that started along with her grandfather, continued by way of her father’s service in the Electronic and Mechanical Engineers Corps in Vadodara, and the 1971 warfare. “My father’s maternal grandfather also served in the British army and later participated in the 1857 freedom struggle,” one in all Col Qureshi’s three brothers, Mohammed Sanjay Qureshi, informed TOI. Col Qureshi additionally has a sister.“You can say that patriotism runs in our blood. She wished to develop into a professor, however has now donned the Indian Army uniform,” stated Sanjay Qureshi, who, alongside along with his father Taj Mohammed Qureshi, mom Hanima, and daughter Zara, addressed the media in Vadodara. Colonel Sofiya’s husband, Tajuddin, is an officer in the Army’s Mechanised Infantry.The embellished officer has many laurels to her identify. She was the first lady officer to command an Army contingent in a multinational navy train, “Exercise Force 18” in 2016, the place she stood out as the solely feminine commander amongst 18 contingents collaborating in the largest overseas navy drill hosted by India.Col Qureshi earned her BSc in chemistry (1995) and MSc in biochemistry (1997) from M S University, after finishing education at Kendriya Vidyalaya, EME. She left her PhD program a 12 months brief to hitch Indian Army. Her profession consists of six years with UN peacekeeping forces, working in battle zones and supporting humanitarian efforts.(With inputs from Sachin Sharma)