Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s family showers petals on PM Modi at Gujarat roadshow | Watch

As the Prime Minister's convoy passed through the city, Colonel Qureshi’s family was seen waving and showering flowers on him in a show of gratitude.

In a heartwarming gesture, Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's family, on Monday morning, showered flower petals on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his grand roadshow in Gujarat's Vadodara.

As the Prime Minister's convoy passed through the city, Colonel Qureshi’s family was seen waving and showering flowers on him in a show of gratitude.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Family members of Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, shower flower petals as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow in Vadodara, GujaratDuring his 2-day visit to Gujarat, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for various pic.twitter.com/s1aYwPdgWO

ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2025

Shortly after the rally, the Colonel's father, Taj Mohammed Qureshi, shared the poignant moment, recalling how PM Modi recognised their family in the crowd.

“PM Modi ne humey pehchaan liya aur fir pranaam kiya. Humne bhi unhe sammaan se pranaam kiya (PM Modi recognised us and greeted us with folded hands. We also returned the gesture with respect),” he said, moved by the gesture.

Her mother, Halima Qureshi, also expressed strong support for the Prime Minister.

“We welcomed him with flowers. It’s wonderful to see everyone coming together to welcome him. He is the Prime Minister of our country, and he deserves this respect,” she said.

Also speaking about her daughter, she noted, “Sofiya is not only our daughter but the daughter of the nation. Whatever she has done is commendable, and we should carry forward her legacy.”

Joining her parents, Shyna Sunsara, Colonel Sofiya’s twin sister, described an emotional interaction with PM Modi, saying, “When he passed by, he bowed down, and we bowed back. It was an unforgettable moment. It felt like he was sending a message to the world that we stand together and no one should be afraid.”

She also hailed the Prime Minister’s commitment to women’s empowerment, adding, “Meeting PM Modi felt inspiring. Sofia’s service to the nation inspires not just me but many others. She has become the sister of the entire country.”

A jubilant Sanjay Qureshi, Colonel Sofiya’s brother, also shared his feelings about seeing PM Modi for the first time in person.

“It was a great moment. Through his gestures, he greeted us warmly,” he said. He also expressed gratitude towards the Indian armed forces and the government for enabling his sister to serve the nation. “A woman taking a stand for all the women who suffered… what could be better than that?” he added proudly, in a show of admiration for his sister and her crucial role in the success of Operation Sindoor.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi came into the spotlight this May when she co-chaired the official media briefings on Operation Sindoor, India’s May 7 retaliatory strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22.

Born in 1981 in Vadodara, Colonel Qureshi hails from a family with a strong military legacy. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army, and her father participated in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to his home state of Gujarat Monday morning, marking his first trip since the successful completion of Operation Sindoor.

PM Modi was welcomed by large, enthusiastic crowds in Vadodara upon his arrival, eager to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister, amid rousing chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai.

He held a kilometre-long roadshow from the airport to the nearby Air Force station. Supporters and admirers could be seen lining the streets on both sides, showering flower petals and cheering to celebrate India's military success.

The Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for multiple development projects valued at approximately Rs 82,950 crore, spanning infrastructure, industry, and social welfare sectors.