Operation Sindoor a living example of India’s self-reliance: Rajnath Singh

Singh also reiterated the government’s aim to increase defence manufacturing to Rs 3 lakh crore and exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

Singh also inaugurated the School of Defence and Aerospace Technology, which aims to support the defence innovation ecosystem in India.

At the event, the School of Defence and Aerospace Technology was inaugurated by Singh, which hopes to support the defence innovation ecosystem in India.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Operation Sindoor was an example of India’s self-reliance. Speaking at the sixth convocation ceremony of the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), he said, “In and of itself, Operation Sindoor was a living example of India’s self-reliance. And I want to tell you that during Operation Sindoor, the wonderful work that the Indian Army did, most of them were made on Indian soil.”

“India does not discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. But the terrorists that came from our neighbouring country killed Indian citizens in Pahalgam by looking at their ‘dharm’. But look at the restraint of the Indian Army, we did not kill them by looking at their ‘dharm’ but we killed them by looking at their ‘karm’. This is the difference between us and the world,” Singh said.

Singh also reiterated the government’s aim to increase defence manufacturing to Rs 3 lakh crore and exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

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On the city of Pune, he remarked, “The land of Pune is known for its defence sector in the country and even internationally. I believe that the city is an equal mix of tradition and modernity. The headquarters of Indian Army’s Southern Command is located here… Other than this, many important defence sector establishments are also present here.”

“Pune city is a mix of tradition and modernity and an important defence hub for the country,” he added.

Singh told the graduating students to not pay heed to the pressures of social media and said, “Social media is a world of showoff. We try to compare our lives with others online. We feel that success is what the other person has achieved. But in reality everyone has their own definition of success. Someone’s dream can be to become a big businessman and someone else’s dream can be to teach kids in his village.”

In a slight scare, a snake was spotted and later disappeared near the stage less than half an hour before the defence minister and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were to take stage at the event.

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In all, 1,532 students graduated from various skill-based and professional programmes at the ceremony. A commotion also broke out at the gate of the auditorium as some parents argued with police and security personnel for not being allowed inside the convocation venue.

At the event, the School of Defence and Aerospace Technology was inaugurated by Singh, which hopes to support the defence innovation ecosystem in India.

Fadnavis, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil; Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha; and Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal were present at the event. University Chancellor Dr S B Majumdar and Pro-Chancellor Dr Swati Majumdar were also present.

Majumdar said, “We need 1,000 more skill universities in India. Countries like America and China have many more such universities… Only someone whose mind holds kindness, respect and liberal thought can embody the motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”

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