Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a heartfelt gesture of admiration during his roadshow in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday, as the family of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi showered him with flower petals. The moment stood out as a symbolic show of gratitude for the Prime Minister’s efforts toward empowering women and supporting the Indian armed forces.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, gained national attention earlier this month as one of the two women officers who briefed the media during the highly successful Operation Sindoor – a joint military operation launched by India against terrorist threats emanating from across the border. Colonel Qureshi is also renowned for being the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, ‘Exercise Force 18’, the largest such event ever hosted by India.
The roadshow was part of PM Modi’s two-day visit to Gujarat, where he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth over ₹82,950 crore in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar. People lined the streets in large numbers to cheer the Prime Minister and express their support for India’s recent defence achievements, particularly Operation Sindoor.
Speaking to the media, Colonel Qureshi’s twin sister Shyna Sunsara said, “We felt good meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has done a lot for women’s empowerment. When your sister does something for the country, it inspires everyone. She is no longer just my sister but the country’s sister.”
Their mother, Halima Bibi, shared her pride and joy at the meeting, saying, “I felt happy to meet PM Modi ji. Women and sisters are happy with Operation Sindoor.” Colonel Qureshi’s father, Taj Mohammed Qureshi, recalled how the Prime Minister greeted the family during the roadshow, calling the moment respectful and memorable.
Sanjay Qureshi, Colonel Sofiya’s brother, also spoke about the emotional significance of the occasion. “It was a great moment when PM Modi came here. We got to see him for the first time. Through gestures, he greeted us. I thank our defence forces and the government of India, which gave this chance to my sister. A woman taking revenge for the women who suffered so much – what can be better than this?”
Later, PM Modi shared glimpses of his roadshow and interactions in Gujarat on his official X handle. The roadshow and accompanying sentiments underscored the strong connection between the public, the armed forces, and the nation’s leadership in a time of heightened national pride following a decisive military success.
