TERMING OPERATION Sindoor as a picture of India’s resolve and transformation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that it was the courage of the soldiers and power of Made-in-India weapons that led to the destruction of the terror bases across the border earlier this month. “Friends, our soldiers destroyed terror bases; it was their indomitable courage, along with the power of weapons, equipment and technology Made in India. It also included the resolve of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The sweat of our engineers, our technicians, in fact, that of everyone. is involved in this victory,” Modi said in his first monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address since Operation Sindoor. “After this campaign, a renewed energy is visible in the whole country regarding ‘Vocal for Local’,” he said. The Prime Minister, who was praised for the military action at a NDA Chief Ministers' Conclave he attended later in the day, said there was an increasing sentiment among Indians to buy India-made toys for their children, plan domestic vacations and weddings, and purchase gifts made by local artisans. “Friends, this itself is the real strength of India – ‘connection between people and minds… public participation’. I urge all of you … come, let us take a pledge on this occasion – wherever possible in our lives, we will accord priority to products made in the country. This is not just a matter of economic self-reliance… it is a feeling of participation in nation-building. One step of ours can become a huge contribution to the progress of India,” he said. Referring to Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the armed forces to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, Modi said it instilled new confidence and enthusiasm in the fight against terrorism. “The precision and accuracy with which our forces destroyed the terrorist hideouts across the border is amazing… Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission; it is a picture of our resolve, courage and a transforming India and this picture has infused the whole country with a sense of patriotism and has painted it in the hues of the Tricolour. You must have seen that in many cities, villages and small towns of the country, Tiranga Yatras were organised,” he said. He said the entire nation was united against terrorism and resolved to end it. He cited the example of a large number of citizens volunteering to join the Civil Defence, including in Chandigarh, where a viral video showed long queues of volunteers. “Poems were being written on social media, songs of resolve were being sung. Little children were creating paintings that carried great messages hidden in them. I went to Bikaner just three days ago. There, children gifted me one such painting. ‘Operation Sindoor’ has influenced the people of the country so much that many families have made it a part of their lives. In Katihar in Bihar, Kushinagar in UP, and many other cities, children born during that period have been named ‘Sindoor’,” the Prime Minister said. At the NDA Chief Ministers' Conclave, a resolution was passed congratulating the defence forces and the Modi government for the military operation. “.Operation Sindoor… highlights the unwavering commitment of the NDA government to put the sovereignty of India and the security of Indians above everything else,” said the resolution, underlining that innocent people were killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack on the basis of religion. The resolution, which was proposed by Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and seconded by Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it clear that the perpetrators of this attack will get an answer beyond their imagination. And, this is exactly what happened. Our forces gave a strategic and calibrated answer. Terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was comprehensively destroyed.” The resolution appreciated “the Prime Minister and the Government of India for always emphasising on strengthening our armed forces”, recalling measures such as implementation of One Rank One Pension after decades, modernisation of the armed forces, and enhancement of infrastructure and connectivity in border areas.
