When Colonel Sofiya Qureshi spoke to the nation after the successful Operation Sindoor, she wasn’t merely giving a military update. She was creating history. Being one of two women officers to represent the Indian Army at the press conference, her confident and commanding presence enthralled the nation. But to one viewer, the moment struck especially hard her twin sister, Dr. Shyna Sunsara, viewed in pride and amazement as her sister appeared standing tall in uniform on national television.
Childhood Dreams Rooted in a Military Legacy
As per sources, Shyna Sunsara revealed that she and her twin sister Colonel Sofiya Qureshi both belonged to a military family and always dreamed of becoming a part of the armed forces even during an era when women were not permitted in the Army. Sofiya was so hell-bent on breaking through, she kept repeating how she wanted to be a scientist via DRDO to serve the country, and if not that, she was willing to become a part of the police force.
An Unexpected Moment of Pride
The sisters had first met in January, but Sofiya hadn’t informed her that she would be speaking to the nation as part of the Operation Sindoor press briefing. Shyna remembered learning about it from a phone call from a relative, instructing her to turn on the television. Seeing her sister live on television was a moment of utter personal emotion not only a family pride moment, but a national pride moment too. She also lauded the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their tough action through the operation.
Their roots go back long in India’s military and nationalist heritage. According to the tabloid, Shyna Sunsara disclosed that their father had participated in the 1971 Bangladesh war, after his father who was also in the Army. Their uncle was a member of the Border Security Force (BSF), and their great-grandfather had been a soldier in the British Army before he joined the Indian freedom struggle. Their grandmother used to speak of an ancestor who had participated in the 1857 uprising with the legendary Rani of Jhansi. Observing Colonel Sofiya Qureshi present the Operation Sindoor briefing, Shyna stated, was like seeing the essence of Jhansi Ki Rani alive a legendary figure Sofiya has drawn strength and inspiration from for a long time.
Who is Dr. Shyna Sunsara?
Dr. Shyna Sunsara is just as admirable as her twin and a multifaceted talent. Shyna has performed every role conceivable: economist, conservationist, fashion designer, Army cadet in the past, and President of India Gold medalist shooter in rifle competition.
Dubbed Vadodara’s Wonder Woman, she is also a crowned beauty queen, having been crowned Ms. Gujarat, Ms. India Earth 2017, and Ms. United Nations 2018. She was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018, adding to her extensive list of awards. Underneath the glamour, Shyna is dedicated to the planet, most prominently through her project to plant 100,000 trees in Gujarat, a venture that brought her national and international recognition.
In a recent interview with Radio City, she reflected on her childhood dreams. Known as an all-rounder even as a child, she was passionate about fashion design. During her school years, Shyna once cut up her mother’s saree to design a dress an early display of her creativity.
About Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Involded in Operation Sindoor
Born in Gujarat’s Vadodara, Lieutenant Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a trailblazer in every sense. An Indian Army officer serving in the vital Corps of Signals, she is a Master of biochemistry from the Maharaja Sayajirao University and has had several illustrious assignments, both within India and overseas. She has been deployed as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, where she was tasked with overseeing ceasefires and supporting humanitarian operations in conflict areas.
In 2016, Sofiya made history by becoming the first female officer to command an Indian Army contingent at a multi-national field training exercise Exercise Force 18 organized by India. The exercise was aimed at developing interoperability for peacekeeping among ASEAN countries. Her service also boasts notable work during flood relief efforts in the Northeast, demonstrating her versatility as a combat leader as well as a crisis response expert.
