Latest news with #VyomikaSingh
The Wire
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
BJP Denies Reports of Using Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as Campaign Faces
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Politics BJP Denies Reports of Using Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as Campaign Faces The Wire Staff 37 minutes ago Malviya's rebuttal came after a media report claimed that Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign to be launched by the BJP. Representative image of a BJP flag. Photo: Ismat Ara/The Wire. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: The BJP has denied reports that the party plans to use Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as its campaign faces. 'This is #FakeNews. The BJP has no plans to use either Col Sofia Qureshi or Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as campaign faces. The comments made by BJP Minority Morcha President Jamal Siddiqui have been misconstrued. He simply made a limited point about highlighting Col Qureshi as an example of an empowered Muslim woman within the community,' BJP IT department in-charge Amit Malviya wrote on X on Sunday (June 1). Malviya's rebuttal came after a media report claimed that Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, both of whom led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign to be launched by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Modi government on June 9, reported Press Trust of India. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News 'Inverted the Meaning, Invented an Issue': Ashoka Professor on Women's Panel's Reaction to Army Post SC Extends Stay on BJP Minister Vijay Shah's Arrest; Closes Madhya Pradesh HC Proceedings Why Operation Sindoor Can Lead to the Re-Discovery of India What BJP's Extraordinary Silence on Vijay Shah – Who Called a Colonel a 'Terrorist's Sister' – Says 'Entire Nation Ashamed of You': SC Rejects BJP Minister's Apology For Remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi From Flowers to Sarees, A Story of PM Modi's Communication Imagery Post-Operation Sindoor Amid Claims and Counter-Claims, Concerns over 'Escalation' Reach A New High Today Six Pillars of Golwalkar's Vision that Can Help Us Understand the Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Row India Says Pakistan Used 300-400 Drones at 36 Locations, Perhaps to 'Test Air Defence Systems' About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Fake News': BJP Says No Plans To Use Op Sindoor Faces For Party Campaign
New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday said that it has no plans to use Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as party's campaign faces. This came after a media report claimed that Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, who led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign to be rolled out by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Modi government on June 9. Commenting on the media report on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, "This is Fake News." The BJP has no plans to use either Col Sofia Qureshi or Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as campaign faces, he asserted. "The comments made by BJP Minority Morcha president Jamal Siddiqui have been misconstrued. He simply made a limited point about highlighting Col Qureshi as an example of an empowered Muslim woman within the community," Malviya said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Fake news': BJP says no plans to use Col Sofia Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as party's campaign faces
The BJP refuted media reports suggesting Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh would be campaign faces for a women-centric initiative marking 11 years of the Modi government. Amit Malviya, BJP IT department head, dismissed the news as fake. He clarified that Jamal Siddiqui's comments were misinterpreted, emphasizing Col Qureshi as an example of an empowered Muslim woman. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The BJP on Sunday said that it has no plans to use Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as party's campaign came after a media report claimed that Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, who led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign to be rolled out by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Modi government on June on the media report on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, "This is Fake News."The BJP has no plans to use either Col Sofia Qureshi or Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as campaign faces, he asserted."The comments made by BJP Minority Morcha president Jamal Siddiqui have been misconstrued. He simply made a limited point about highlighting Col Qureshi as an example of an empowered Muslim woman within the community," Malviya said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Col Qureshi, Wg Cdr Vyomika to be facesof BJP's campaign on 11 yrs of Modi govt
Lucknow: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor , will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign scheduled to be rolled out by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led govt on June 9. The BJP has asked its minority wing to mobilise its cadres to organise "chaupals" highlighting Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh as "role models" for women, particularly from minority communities. BJP's Minority Morcha national president Jamal Siddiqui told TOI thay the campaign would be carried out around minority institutions, mosques, dargahs, gurudwaras and churches situated in all organisational divisions across the country. The first chaupal is proposed to be organised in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh — the epicentre of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. "The idea is to mobilise women and make them feel empowered," Siddiqui said, stressing that the campaign will aim to encourage women to join the NCC and Agniveer Scheme. "Military training can come in handy in every possible way for women in everyday lives or dealing with domestic violence," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Political experts said that the selection of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh as the face of a women-centric campaign by the BJP marks a strategic move that seeks to blend military valour, national pride and gender empowerment into a powerful political narrative. An analyst said that women-centric policies and empowerment become a key pillar in showcasing governance successes. In fact, in the recent elections, women emerged as critical swing voters, especially in politically crucial states like Uttar Pradesh. Colonel Qureshi, who addressed the media a day after India's 'Operation Sindoor' to target nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, is a highly decorated officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. Born in Gujarat, she made history as the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational military drill 'Exercise Force 18' held in Pune and involving 18 ASEAN Plus nations. She was also the only female contingent commander in the event. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who co-led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor, is a distinguished helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and a first-generation military officer. Sources said the BJP's campaign will also be designed to consolidate women's support by highlighting schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and the women's reservation bill. Siddiqui said the campaign will be further widened to reach out to the minority communities and apprise them of the key welfare measures initiated by the Modi govt. Key schemes proposed to be highlighted in the process include PM Awas Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Scheme, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which benefited all sections, including Muslims. He added that the party would also distribute copies of the Constitution among the minority community, making them aware of their rights, besides preventing them from getting swayed by "malicious narratives" peddled by the opposition parties. Experts highlight that the campaign attains much significance in light of sustained criticism faced by the BJP over the perceived alienation of minorities, primarily Muslims. Sources said the saffron outfit desperately seeks to reframe its relationship with minorities through development-centric messaging rather than ideologically. Lucknow: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign scheduled to be rolled out by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led govt on June 9. The BJP has asked its minority wing to mobilise its cadres to organise "chaupals" highlighting Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh as "role models" for women, particularly from minority communities. BJP's Minority Morcha national president Jamal Siddiqui told TOI thay the campaign would be carried out around minority institutions, mosques, dargahs, gurudwaras and churches situated in all organisational divisions across the country. The first chaupal is proposed to be organised in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh — the epicentre of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. "The idea is to mobilise women and make them feel empowered," Siddiqui said, stressing that the campaign will aim to encourage women to join the NCC and Agniveer Scheme. "Military training can come in handy in every possible way for women in everyday lives or dealing with domestic violence," he said. Political experts said that the selection of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh as the face of a women-centric campaign by the BJP marks a strategic move that seeks to blend military valour, national pride and gender empowerment into a powerful political narrative. An analyst said that women-centric policies and empowerment become a key pillar in showcasing governance successes. In fact, in the recent elections, women emerged as critical swing voters, especially in politically crucial states like Uttar Pradesh. Colonel Qureshi, who addressed the media a day after India's 'Operation Sindoor' to target nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, is a highly decorated officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. Born in Gujarat, she made history as the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational military drill 'Exercise Force 18' held in Pune and involving 18 ASEAN Plus nations. She was also the only female contingent commander in the event. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who co-led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor, is a distinguished helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and a first-generation military officer. Sources said the BJP's campaign will also be designed to consolidate women's support by highlighting schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and the women's reservation bill. Siddiqui said the campaign will be further widened to reach out to the minority communities and apprise them of the key welfare measures initiated by the Modi govt. Key schemes proposed to be highlighted in the process include PM Awas Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Scheme, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which benefited all sections, including Muslims. He added that the party would also distribute copies of the Constitution among the minority community, making them aware of their rights, besides preventing them from getting swayed by "malicious narratives" peddled by the opposition parties. Experts highlight that the campaign attains much significance in light of sustained criticism faced by the BJP over the perceived alienation of minorities, primarily Muslims. Sources said the saffron outfit desperately seeks to reframe its relationship with minorities through development-centric messaging rather than ideologically.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
A fillip for India's Veerangana tradition
One family factoid that my mother proudly revealed when I displayed a brief teenage fascination for tanks, fighter aircraft and warships was that her second eldest sister (in a family of five daughters and a son) served in the Women's Auxiliary Corps during World War II. My feisty aunt, who went into a totally different career eventually at All India Radio, apparently drove trucks and jeeps, one of the few roles open to women in the armed forces back was athletic in her youth, belying her tiny stature, even playing tennis-in a saree, as per the norms of the day. So when India was tapped for volunteers by its colonial ruler as the war in Europe spread around the world, she eagerly grabbed the opportunity to wear a uniform and serve. The teenage me marvelled at my aunt (already a portly radio professional by the time I came along) grabbing such an unusual opportunity as the daughter of a senior civil servant. Seeing the smiling faces of the 17 cadets of the first batch of women to graduate from India's National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla in Pune last Friday, many Indians would probably be reminded of Colonel Sophiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, the calm and steely 'faces' of the Indian armed forces during the tense days of Operation Sindoor earlier in May. But I imagined my late aunt instead; she would have been over a century old now. India has had a very long history of women in combat, although the school textbooks tend to stick to references to their roles in the British Indian Army, as well as the women-only Rani of Jhansi regiment of Indian National Army. In fact, the latter actually belied the long-held belief that women cannot (and perhaps even should not) be deployed in combat roles and would not have the strength or stamina to undergo the required training. The INA women did it all. Their grit and fighting spirit should have inspired the Indian armed forces to carry forward the legacy of the Rani of Jhansi regiment after Independence but the institution remained beholden to the British military heritage. Though women joined the medical and judicial wings, they were commissioned to some selected other arms only from the end of the 20th century. And a quarter of the 21st century has elapsed before this first batch of women graduated from now, there will be many doubts about whether Indian women have the wherewithal to serve in the fighting divisions of our armed forces in the same way as men. There are already qualifying 'expert' comments about how women will perform their roles well as soldiers today as wars have become more technical rather than physical. Less battle cries and engaging the enemy in tank, gun and one-to-one combat and more drone, missile and is a disservice to the long tradition of veeranganas-brave women-in Indian history, a part of our heritage that has been woefully under-appreciated. India is unique in terms of its consistent reverence for feminine power, Shakti. The warrior goddesses of other ancient faith systems have been forgotten and supplanted by others that do not revere women in their fierce fighter form. Yet India has held true to that belief through the vicissitudes of history. When this first batch of women NDA graduates took that 'Antim Pag' or Last Step from the precincts of their training academy into the world of soldiers defending India, they were taking the first step towards fully reasserting our ancient faith in Shakti. All women in uniform who preceded them (per force in limited roles in our armed forces so far) will not be the only ones wishing them a valorous future. My aunt and mother will be smiling too, somewhere.
