Who is Col. Sofiya Qureshi's multitalented twin sister who has been awarded by the president of India and much more
1
2
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's recent national appearance during the
Operation Sindoor
press briefing earned her instant recognition and massive praise across the nation as the daughter of the nation that the country is proud of.
Her calm, commanding presence showed the strength and professionalism of the Indian Army and quickly made her a household name that proudly lay on every citizen's lips.
During one of her interviews, she also talked about her military family background and her twin sister.
Among them, one twin commands attention in olive green, the other shines through a kaleidoscope of roles of an economist, environmentalist, national-level shooter, and beauty queen.
Operation Sindoor
India-Pak tensions: All eyes on DGMO talks today
Before & after: Satellite pics show Op Sindoor's impact on Pak air bases, terror camps
'Shameful': Support pours in for foreign secretary Misri as trolls target his family
Together, the Qureshi sisters present a powerful image of women who have not only broken barriers but also redefined what ambition looks like when rooted in service and courage. Born into a proud military family, their lives have been guided by values of duty, determination, and a desire to serve the nation in their own extraordinary ways.
If Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is the face of military grit, then
Dr. Shyna Sunsara
is her equally bold and dynamic counterpart, one who proves that strength doesn't always come with uniform; sometimes it arrives in heels, gold medals, and green missions.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Health: Over-40s are snapping up the new indestructible military smartwatch
Indestructible Smartwatch
Undo
Who is Col. Sofia Qureshi's talented twin sister?
Dr. Shyna Sunsara is not just the twin sister of a decorated Army officer, she's a force of nature in her own right. An all-rounder, Shyna has carved out a path filled with accolades, service, and innovation.
She is a former Army cadet herself and a national-level rifle shooter. Shyna's list of achievements is as diverse and inspiring. In an interview with Hindustan Times, it was revealed that she had once dreamed of donning the Army uniform alongside her sister.
Though their paths diverged, her commitment to excellence never wavered, and she received a gold medal from the President of India in rifle shooting. Apart from that, she also has numerous accolades to her name.
She was titled as Ms. Gujarat, followed by Mrs. India Earth 2017, and then Ms. United Nations 2018.
She has been an 'all-rounder' since childhood. She said during an interview with Radio City that she cut up her mother's saree to make a dress.
But Shyna's real crown lies in her activism
In 2018, she received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, not just for her work in fashion and pageantry, but for her green initiative in which she planted one lakh trees across Gujarat. This project not only garnered national praise but also caught international attention for its scale and environmental impact.
Despite her fame and multifaceted career, Shyna remains deeply grounded. Watching her twin sister address the nation on live television stirred something profound in her.
'It was like watching the spirit of the Rani of Jhansi reborn,' she said, referencing the legacy of courage shared by generations of women in their family, some of whom served in the military as far back as the 1857 uprising, according to the Hindustan Times.
Shyna's life, like her sister's, is driven by purpose. Whether she's speaking up for the environment, lifting the national rifle, or inspiring young women through fashion and leadership, she continues to prove that heroism comes in many forms.
About Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a trailblazer in the Indian Army, known for making history in 2016 as the first Indian woman officer to lead a multinational military exercise. She joined the Corps of Signals in 1999 after earning her master's in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University. Currently serving in the Mechanised Infantry alongside her husband, she recently stood out as one of the lead officers in the Operation Sindoor briefing.
Coming from a proud military lineage, her inspiration, as her sister Dr. Shyna Sunsara shared, is their great-grandmother, who fought beside Rani Laxmi Bai and passed down a legacy of courage.
Together,
Col. Sofiya Qureshi
and Dr. Shyna Sunsara remind us that courage isn't confined to the battlefield and patriotism can bloom in camouflage or couture.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trichy streets want to let go caste identities
Trichy: In what is seen as a drawback for a city known for its secular fabric, at least 30 prominent roads and streets in Trichy continue to bear caste and communal identities. While a few of them with neutral names were recently renamed by Trichy corporation to honour renowned personalities from the city, there are demands to rename streets with caste and communal names on priority and avoid getting stereotyped. Known for its pluralism, Trichy has elected candidates of non-dominant castes and religions as well as non-natives in assembly and parliament elections. However, the city with 65 wards and around 20 to 122 streets per ward, has at least 30 major streets and roads bearing caste names. Some of these include Kalla streets, Kura street, Arunthathiyar nagar, Vellala street, Muslim streets, Palla street, and Saurashtra streets. While there is no major opposition from residents to street names with backward or forward class names, those from streets bearing SC/ST names are uneasy. "A century ago, streets were named based on the dominant caste of the residents, but that is a thing of the past. Caste-based streets can be renamed after deserving national and state leaders," K Suresh, councillor, ward 23 said. A handful of streets also bear demeaning names referring to liquor, drainage and crematorium, much to the embarrassment of residents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo "There is one Keela Saarayapattarai (reference to liquor sold) street in Woraiyur. Youths while applying for jobs and interviews feel uncomfortable mentioning their address. Same is the case with youths from streets carrying caste identities," P Lenin, district president, DYFI, said. Drainage street and Sudukadu (cremation ground) road in Srirangam are among names that do not go well with locals. "Renaming caste-based names into neutral names is a welcome move, but it should not just be a cosmetic change," justice K Chandru, former judge of Madras high court, said. Recently, Trichy corporation renamed four roads and streets after Kargil war martyr Major Saravanan, late nadaswaram artist Dr Sheik Chinna Moulana, and late poet and writer Nandalala. However, the previous names of the roads and streets were caste neutral too. "We will prepare a list of caste-based street names and send it to the municipal administration department to get their approval. The council shall pass a resolution for name changes in consultation with the municipal administration minister and senior officials," mayor Mu Anbalagan told TOI. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ahmedabad plane crash: Girls, 8 and 4, lose mom and dad within 18 days
An old photo of Arjun and Bharti, who died of cancer on May 26 SURAT: As stories of AI 171 crash victims unfold, among the most heartbreaking is that of 37-year-old Arjun Patoliya, whose death has left two little sisters in London, aged 8 and 4, orphaned within a span of just 18 days. Still mourning the loss of their mother Bharti, who died of cancer on May 26, the two girls have now lost their father in Thursday's tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Arjun had travelled to India to fulfil his wife's last wish - that her post-death rituals be performed in Gujarat. He immersed her ashes in the Narmada River at Nilkanthdham in Poicha, 60 km from Vadodara, and at their native Vadiya village in Amreli district. He was flying back to London when fate dealt another cruel blow to the family. 'Never imagined we'd perform Arjun's last rites just days later' Arjun's mother lives in Surat. His daughters are now in the care of his younger brother Gopal, who also lives in London. Only last Sunday, the Patoliya family had gathered to perform Bharti's final rites - an emotional and heavy moment. They had just about started to process their loss when tragedy struck again. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo "My sister-in-law wanted her last rites to be performed in India. We had never imagined that within days, we would be performing Arjun's rites too," said his cousin, Sanjay. Arjun's mother gave her DNA sample to help identify his body so it could be brought back to Vadiya for the last rites. Arjun had lost his father in 1990 at a very young age and was raised by his mother, who sold cutlery and household items to make ends meet. He studied up to grade 12 at Swaminarayan Gurukul in Surat before moving to the UK at the age of 20. He had been living in London for the past 17 years. There, he ran a furniture shop and met Bharti, who worked as an accountant. They married and built a life together, raising two daughters. Bharti hailed from Gujarat's Kutch district. Her family is now settled in Ahmedabad.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Digital tech brings young and old close, but gaps exist, shows HelpAge report
Chennai: Is digital technology helpful for senior citizens? Yes and no, responded elders who took part in a survey by HelpAge India. While 73% of the 5,798 elders surveyed across 10 cities believe digital technology has brought them closer to the youth, many say they struggle with digital tools due to confusion, fear of errors, and forgetfulness, highlighting a significant digital literacy gap. The study also found that youth often face communication barriers with elders due to busy schedules and fear of being judged. The 47-year-old HelpAge India unveiled its national report — Understanding Inter-generational Dynamics & Perceptions on Ageing — to mark the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025, on Friday. At the event, Uma Devi, joint director, social welfare department, emphasised govt efforts such as the Anbu Cholai day care scheme, which promotes elder engagement and intergenerational bonding. She stressed the importance of reconnecting with grandparents, whom she called treasures of knowledge. G Vanitha, deputy commissioner of police (crimes against women and children), spoke about the Bandham initiative, which supports elders with daily needs and safety. She said: "Installing safety buzzers in residential areas and establishing elder-friendly recreational clubs. The moral role of grandparents in family life and encouraged youth to educate elders about safety apps like Kaaval Uthavi to prevent cybercrimes." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Aranga Narayannan, 88, of Tambaram West, said: "Such effective public awareness meetings must be held frequently and reach every house in a street. This could raise a sensitive surrounding." The theme broadly analyses the perceptions of 70% youth and 30% elders. It conveys that the youth feel the value of elders but are restrained from expressing it, while elders understand and appreciate the advanced younger generation but feel neglected by study reiterates the need for engaging in open and respectful conversations as the most effective way to foster better connections. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
