As India marks its 78th year of independence, Femina proudly celebrates the extraordinary grit, resilience, and leadership of our brave women in uniform. Femina’s July-August Independence Day Special Cover Story, titled ‘In the Line of Duty’, features 10 female officers from the Indian Army who not only continue to serve the nation with unshakeable commitment but also serve as an inspiration to millions across the country. Each woman brings her own brand of strength to the fore, and, together, they represent a new chapter in India’s defence story, one written by women who lead from the front.
These officers, hailing from diverse backgrounds and working across different units, regiments, and operations, underscore how far women have come, and how much further they’re determined to go. From commanding battalions in extreme terrains to leaping from airplanes as paratroopers, their stories are a testament to courage, conviction, and the changing face of Indian defence.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who recently stood at the forefront during the national briefing for Operation Sindoor, shares a powerful message about equal representation: “The presence of women officers at the national briefing during Operation Sindoor spoke volumes and sent a message that excellence knows no gender.”
For Colonel Meghna Dave, who currently leads a Logistics and Transport Battalion in India’s Eastern sector, strength comes from facing one’s fears head-on. She notes, “We can overcome fear with preparation, knowledge, and action. We have to face our fears to know what comes next.”
In the icy terrain of Ladakh, Colonel Ponung Doming, the first woman officer from the Northeast to become a Colonel, commands the highest Border Roads Organisation task force. She shares her mantra for perseverance: “My advice to youth is to follow the three Ds – dream, determination, and discipline.”
Colonel Anshu Jamwal, the first woman in the Indian Army to command an operational Air Defence Unit, reminds us that true leadership is rooted in action. She remarks, “Leadership is not just about giving orders or taking decisions, it is about guiding your team through uncertainty, supporting them, and standing with them when there is intense operational pressure.”
Lieutenant Colonel Krutika Patil, a medal-winning equestrienne and trainer at the National Defence Academy, draws strength from falling and rising. She emphasises, “Unless you have sat in the saddle and had a fall, you will never taste success.”
Major Dwipannita Kalita, the first woman paratrooper from Assam and part of the elite Parachute Medical Regiment, urges others to defy convention. She reiterates, “You are not here to fit into a mould – you’re here to break out of it.”
Captain Ojaswita Shree, one of the very few airborne women officers in service, reminds us that merit – not gender – defines respect. She shares, “I have learnt that it is not your gender but your character, professionalism, and commitment to work that earns you the respect of your troops and peers.”
Captain Shraddha Shivdavkar, India’s third woman Army helicopter pilot, reflects on her hard-earned path. She recalls, “In that moment (when she cleared the SSB exam after eight attempts), I realised that manifestation alone does not work – one has to work hard, and that it will take you where you want to go.”
Lance Naik Aashika, deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir, speaks of a higher calling. She says, “The feeling of being chosen to protect fellow citizens is incomparable.”
Lance Naik Manju, India’s first sky-diving woman soldier, sums it up with one soaring truth: “When I landed (after completing the record-breaking jump from a height of 10,000 feet), I knew for sure that nothing is impossible in life if we put our minds to a task.”
This Independence Day, Femina salutes these women not just for donning the uniform, but for rewriting the rules of what it means to serve, lead, and rise. Their journeys continue to empower an entire generation to believe that courage has no gender and service has no limits.
Explore the strength, spirit, and stories of these remarkable women in Femina’s July-August 2025 Independence Day Special issue – available on stands soon.