There are women who achieve success, and then there are those who inspire generations to succeed and leave a lasting legacy behind. Sofiya Qureshi, a name every Indian must have searched for on the internet after the first press briefing on Operation Sindoor. A woman inspiring millions from her leadership skills, her patriotism and the way she served the nation while executing Operation Sindoor with utmost precision. Find out her life details in this short biography about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi?
Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer, currently holding a Colonel rank. She is one of those who grabbed the attention of many during the execution of Operation Sindoor recently. She played a key role in executing Operation Sindoor and topped every headline afterwards.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Early Life & Education
- She was born in Vadodara, Gujarat in 1974 and started her journey towards serving the nation soon after completing her studies.
- She grew up while studying at Kendriya Vidyalaya, EME. Afterwards she studied graduation and Post graduation at MSU (Maharaja Sayajirao University).
- She belongs from a family of warriors and took no time in realising the same that she has been sent to serve the nation like her ancestors did.
Sofiya Qureshi Family
- Sofia Qureshi Parents – Mohammad Qureshi and Amina Qureshi
- Her ancestors also worked in the Indian Army. She came from a family of army people.
- Sofiya’s great grandfather was from the era of pre-independence war in 1857. He was also a part of the 1857 revolt and also served the British Indian Army as well during his career.
- Sofiya’s great grandmother was with Rani Lakshmi Bai.
- Sofiya Qureshi Grandfather – Her grandfather served in the category of Religious Teacher (RT) cadre in the Indian Army.
- Sofiya Qureshi Father – Her Father Taj Mohammed Qureshi was a part of one of the historic India Pakistan War in 1971.
Sofiya Qureshi Sister Dr. Shyna Sunsera
- Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was born with a twin named Shyna Sunsera who is very closely linked to Sofiya in terms of face but far more talented than her.
- She is a very renowned figure in the city of Vadodara, popularly known as ‘Wonder Woman’.
- Shyna is one of those who has elevated her name in more than one field, as an economist, army cadet, environmentalist and a fashion designer as well.
- She has also gathered a few titles as well including, Miss Gujarat, Miss India Earth 2017, and Miss United Nations 2018.
- She is a pro in rifle shooting as well, and has earned a gold medal from the President of India as well.
- Awarded with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018. She is also recognised for planting 100,000 plants in the city of Gujarat.
Sofiya Qureshi Husband
- She is married to an Indian Army Man named Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi, who is from Karnataka, and works in Mechanised Infantry.
- In 2015, both of them decided to marry each other after meeting during their duties in Jhansi.
- They both have a son from their marriage, Sameer.
Sofiya Qureshi Career
- After completing her masters in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1997, she joined the Army Signal Corps in 1999.
- In 2001, she made a huge impact during Operation Parakram while serving the nation along the Punjab Border, and had followed the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001.
- In 2006, she became a part of UN Peacekeeping operations while serving in Congo for six years.
- She showcased her leadership skills during a flood relief campaign in Northeast India as well. And it got her another commendation from the signal officer-in-chief.
- In 2016, she became the first Indian woman and the only woman commander among the participating nations to lead the Indian Contingent at the ASEAN Plus Multinational Military Exercise ‘Force 18’.
- In 2025, she successfully led India to a magnificent victory over Pakistan in Operation Sindoor as well, showcasing her leadership skills. It was a strong message to the terror backed nation Pakistan in reply to the attack executed by them at Pahalgam. She also gave multiple press briefings related to the operation recently.
Sofiya Qureshi Awards & Recognition
- Facilitated with Force Commander Commendation on the UN Day.
- Represented India at international levels, ie in South Africa, Cambodia and Bangladesh.
- The Chief of Army Staff Plaque of Honour was also awarded to her.
- Earned Global Peace Gandhi Award 2019 in the UK House of Commons.
- She motivated thousands of people across the nation, especially girls, in insurgency hit areas, primarily Kashmir and West Bengal.
- She struggled and successfully united parents with their 5 year old girl. She even got appreciation for her humanitarian efforts from the Congolese Women.
- Earned first Provost Marshal Citation.
The Path Towards Inner Fulfilment
While gathering career accomplishments, usually people don’t value the sense of satisfaction and inner fulfilment at first, and walk ahead without even thinking about them. Amid gathering material assets, a pious soul realises it at many occasions that material assets cannot give them inner satisfaction.
Still, the want for material pursuits looms over every soul in this world of name and fame. This is where the right spiritual knowledge and wisdom can prove to be crucial, waking souls up from a deep sleep of bogus thoughts. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj has described through His precise spiritual discourses that our human life is not worth wasting.
The right way of living is achieved solely when one starts to walk towards the path that leads to true inner fulfilment. Therefore by seeking refuge in Supreme God Kabir through His Complete Saint, we can attain supreme peace and salvation.
This world is full of problems and hardship is an everyday chapter to everyone here. Various respected individuals including Shri Nanak Dev Ji, Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj, Shri Dharamdas Ji Maharaj and many others have seen Satlok by the grace of God Kabir and have mentioned it in their pious verses as well. So, it is not a hypothetical thought, it is a unique and less discovered reality and the grace to know about it has fallen upon you through this eye-opening article. Kabir Saheb states:
Chal Hansa Satyalok Humare, Chodo yeh Sansara Ho |
Iss Sansar ka Kaal hai Raja, Karam ka Jaal Pasara Ho ||
For more such deeper and thought-provoking insights, do not forget to visit our website www.jagargururampalji.org, or you can also watch spiritual discourses at our various youtube channels like ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ ‘Satlok Ashram’ and ‘Factful Debates’.
