KBC 17: Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Commander Prerna Deosthalee and Colonel Sophia Qureshi win Rs 25 lakhs

Their appearance and remarks provided a glimpse of the growing power of women in the military in addition to highlighting the specifics of India's valiant Operation Sindoor.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan's 17th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) has gotten off to a strong start, and its Independence Day episode was genuinely historic.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, Commander Prerna Deosthalee of the Indian Navy, and Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Indian Army were the three trailblazing female officers who graced the hot seat and performed remarkably well in the game on August 15. These officers, who participated in India's Operation Sindoor, won Rs 25 lakh for their outstanding performance on the quiz in addition to sharing tales of their bravery and national service.

They made it to the Rs 50 lakh question, however the game ended before they could try it due to the time-out buzzer. For Rs 25 lakh, their final response was: "The 'Arch of Remembrance' in Leicester, England, was designed by the same person who also designed which of these Indian monuments?" The choices were as follows: A) The Victoria Memorial B) India's Gateway C) Fort George D) India Gate.

Despite their initial confusion, the three locked in the right response—India Gate—using the Audience Poll lifeline. The renowned British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens created the monument, known as Leicester's Arch of Remembrance. The three officers' Rs 25 lakh victory represented a new milestone for KBC, even though they were unable to attempt the Rs 50 lakh question. Three female military commanders were on the hot seat together for the first time in the show's history, inspiring millions of viewers with their bravery and remarks about women's empowerment and the changing role of women in the military.

The officers declared near the end of the performance that the winnings will be given to the welfare funds of their respective organizations. The officers' presentation included fascinating information regarding Operation Sindoor, which was launched in the early hours of May 7 to target nine terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retribution for the 26-person Pahalgam terror assault on April 22.

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Following their briefing of the public and media at the first press conference following Operation Sindoor, Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh were designated as the official spokespersons for India's operation.

Their appearance and remarks provided a glimpse of the growing power of women in the military in addition to highlighting the specifics of India's valiant Operation Sindoor. However, in 2024, Commander Prerna Deosthalee became the first female commander in the Indian Navy to be given command of a vessel.