Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 19: In a proud moment for Goa and India, two Goan women have etched their names into the annals of the country’s military history through exceptional service during critical missions.

Wing Commander Maria Ismenia Sancha Pereira, hailing from Gonsua, Betalbatim, has become the first-ever Goan woman to be decorated for wartime service in Indian history. As an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) with the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor — a high-stakes combat mission — she played a vital role in providing real-time radar intelligence and issuing early warnings that helped Indian fighter jets destroy key enemy targets and defend against incoming aerial threats.

For her extraordinary service and impact on operational success, Wg Cdr Pereira was awarded a Mention-in-Despatch, one of the country’s prestigious wartime honors, recognizing her contributions to the defence effort. Her precise coordination ensured mission safety and precision, highlighting the critical importance of ATCs in modern aerial warfare.

A product of Mary Immaculate Conception High School, Panjim, and Green Rosary Higher Secondary, Dona Paula, she pursued Engineering at Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi before joining the armed forces. She is the daughter of Eustaquio Francisco Pereira and Poma Pereira.

Adding further distinction to Goa’s growing legacy of excellence in the armed forces, Major Jacqueline Jacinta Dias, whose family hails from Bardez, has been appointed as the Officer Commanding of the Indian Army Overseas Dental Institution in Bhutan. This prestigious foreign posting, traditionally awarded to top-performing officers, marks another first for Goan women.

Maj Dias is the daughter of Group Captain Joe Peter Matthew Dias and Anne Elizabeth Dias, both originally from Mapusa. Her appointment reflects not just professional excellence, but also the growing recognition of women officers in leadership roles on the international front.

These landmark achievements by Wg Cdr Pereira and Maj Dias serve as powerful inspiration for aspiring defence personnel, and a testament to Goa’s enduring contribution to national service.