Femina’s Independence Day Special Celebrates 10 Groundbreaking Women of the Indian Army
As India marks 78 years of independence, Femina is putting the spotlight on ten remarkable women who are reshaping the face of the Indian Army. The magazine’s Independence Day special issue, titled In the Line of Duty, isn’t just a tribute—it’s a declaration that courage, leadership, and grit aren’t defined by gender.
These women serve in some of the toughest units and most extreme environments—from high-altitude operations to airborne missions—and each of them brings a different story of power, perseverance, and purpose. What unites them is their refusal to back down and their unflinching commitment to duty.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who led the national briefing for Operation Sindoor, puts it simply: “Excellence knows no gender.”
Colonel Meghna Dave
Colonel Meghna Dave, commanding a logistics battalion in the Eastern sector, believes in fearlessness through preparation: “You have to face your fears to know what comes next.”
Colonel Ponung Doming
In Ladakh’s freezing heights, Colonel Ponung Doming, the first woman Colonel from the Northeast, leads a critical Border Roads Organisation task force. Her mantra? “Dream. Determination. Discipline.”
Colonel Anshu Jamwal
Colonel Anshu Jamwal, the first woman to lead an operational Air Defence Unit, speaks of leadership not as rank but as responsibility: “It’s about standing with your team in pressure.”
Lt Col Krutika Patil
Lt Col Krutika Patil, an award-winning equestrienne and trainer at NDA, knows the value of falling—and rising: “You only taste success after hitting the ground.”
Major Dwipannita Kalita, Assam’s first woman paratrooper, says it best: “You’re not here to fit in—you’re here to break the mould.”
Captain Ojaswita Shree
Captain Ojaswita Shree, one of the few airborne women officers, says respect is earned, not given: “It’s your character and commitment that matter—not gender.”
Captain Shraddha Shivdavkar
Captain Shraddha Shivdavkar, India’s third woman Army chopper pilot, remembers the long road: “Hard work—not just hope—gets you where you want to be.”
Lance Naik Aashika
In J&K’s volatile zones, Lance Naik Aashika is on the ground in counter-insurgency missions: “Protecting fellow citizens is a feeling like no other.”
Lance Naik Manju
And Lance Naik Manju, India’s first sky-diving woman soldier, made history jumping from 10,000 feet. Her words land just as hard: “Nothing is impossible if your mind is made up.”
This Independence Day, Femina isn’t just celebrating uniforms. It’s celebrating bold decisions, quiet defiance, and the will to lead from the front. These ten women aren’t just part of India’s defence—they’re reshaping it.
Because courage doesn’t come in one form. And service knows no limits.
