Jammu, Mar 6: An officer of the Indian Air Force from Jammu, Squadron Leader Neha Devi, has emerged as an inspiring example of determination and resilience, successfully balancing the demanding roles of a service officer, athlete and mother while achieving remarkable feats in long-distance running.
According to a statement issued by the Defence Wing of the Press Information Bureau, Neha Devi’s journey began when she joined the Air Force Academy in July 2013.
At the time, she was nearly ten kilograms overweight, but through relentless discipline and training, she transformed herself within a year and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2014, fitter and stronger.
Over the years, running and strength training became an integral part of her life. By 2017, she had adopted a structured fitness routine that included endurance running and gym workouts. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when organised training activities were halted, she continued with home-based workouts to maintain her fitness.
In 2021, she participated in the virtual edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and secured the third position in her age category. She continued to perform consistently in competitive events and in 2023 finished sixth overall in the Station Cross Country 10-km race and third overall in the Station Unity Run 21-km race, where she was the only female participant in both events.
In January 2024, Neha Devi entered a new phase of life when she became pregnant. Motivated by the fact that many women hesitate to exercise or undertake strength training during pregnancy due to fear or social conditioning, she decided to challenge that perception. Under medical supervision, she continued controlled workouts and at four months of pregnancy secured second position in the virtual TCS 10K run.
She delivered a healthy baby girl through a C-section in September 2024. Her recovery, according to the release, was gradual and demanding, progressing from walking to jogging and eventually running. While breastfeeding her child and balancing official responsibilities, she maintained a daily fitness routine of 40 to 60 minutes of gym or home workouts.
Within just 15 months after childbirth, and largely training on her own, she recorded several impressive achievements. She completed the VDHM Half Marathon 2025 in 1 hour 35 minutes, finished the Kashmir Marathon 2025 in 1 hour 40 minutes securing the eighth position overall in the women’s category that included international athletes, and secured third place in the Defence category at the Adani Marathon 2025 with a time of 3 hours 42 minutes.
Her endurance achievements reached a new milestone when she completed a 100-kilometre ultramarathon in 9 hours 52 minutes.
On January 24, 2026, during a 24-hour stadium run held in New Delhi, she again completed a 100-km distance in 9 hours 52 minutes, narrowly missing the national qualification mark by just 22 minutes. Shortly afterwards, she competed in the Indian Navy Half Marathon on February 2, where she secured the first position among participants from the three Services and finished fourth overall in the women’s open category with a timing of 1 hour 32 minutes and 50 seconds.
Defence officials noted that the narrow miss in achieving the national qualification mark signals strong potential for future success. With structured training, scientific support and professional coaching, she could soon represent India at the international level.
Today, beyond her roles as an officer and athlete, Squadron Leader Neha Devi also serves as an ambassador for youth and women in Jammu, motivating young girls to pursue fitness and break stereotypes. Her journey carries a powerful message that motherhood does not limit a woman’s potential but can strengthen determination and resilience.
Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, PRO and spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence in Jammu, said Neha Devi’s story reflects belief, discipline and consistency, inspiring young women to pursue their dreams without fear of societal limitations. (PIB)
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