On a day that traditionally celebrates the love and sacrifices of mothers, India is paying tribute to two extraordinary women whose maternal instincts extend beyond family—to the soldiers they lead, the country they serve, and the future they inspire.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an officer from the Corps of Signals, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force, may not be biological mothers to all—but their lives reflect an unwavering dedication to care, protection, and guidance. As women in uniform, they embody the evolving narrative of motherhood in 21st-century India: one grounded in compassion, leadership, and national service.
Breaking Ranks, Setting Precedents
In a landmark achievement, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi became the first Indian woman to lead a military training contingent at Force 18—a multinational field exercise involving ASEAN and allied countries. It was not merely a display of rank, but of resilience. Her role shattered stereotypes and sent a powerful message to young women across India: that leadership, much like motherhood, is about protecting and empowering others.
Col. Qureshi, who has spent years in the communications wing of the Army, is known among peers for her precision, poise, and mentorship. “She leads like a mother would—firm, fair, and fiercely committed,” said a junior officer who served under her during the exercise.
From Dreams to Altitude: A Skyward Journey
For Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, the skies were never the limit—they were the beginning. A dreamer from a young age, Singh joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in school, completed an engineering degree, and went on to become a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. In 2019, she received a permanent commission in the flying branch, marking her place among a rare cadre of women aviators in India’s defense forces.
Since then, she has logged more than 2,500 flying hours, navigating complex terrains across Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Singh has operated Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in high-risk humanitarian and military operations, often flying missions in harsh weather and hostile conditions.
Her colleagues describe her as calm under pressure, instinctively protective of her crew, and deeply driven by purpose—attributes often associated with motherhood, now found in the cockpit of an Air Force chopper.
The Maternal Spirit in Uniform
Neither Qureshi nor Singh fits the conventional image celebrated on Mother’s Day—but both embody its essence. They nurture, not just through care but through courage. They guide, not just through instruction but through inspiration.
“Whether you’re raising a child or commanding a team, the instincts are the same,” said Wing Commander Singh in a recent interaction. “You’re responsible for someone else’s growth, safety, and future. That’s a powerful role to have—on any battlefield.”
A Broader Message for a New Generation
Their stories arrive at a crucial time for India, where gender roles are rapidly transforming, and more young women are eyeing careers in the armed forces. Both officers have become role models—not only for aspiring cadets, but for anyone seeking to redefine what it means to be a mother, a leader, or a protector.
On this Mother’s Day, India expands its definition of maternal influence. It includes the hand that signs orders at the command table, the voice that leads through a radio transmission, and the heart that dares to care in spaces once considered unreachable by women.