Mann ki Baat: PM Modi hails Op Sindoor, terms it reflection of changing India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (May 25) said that Operation Sindoor was not just a military mission, but “the face of a changing India” that reflects the country's resolve, courage, and growing strength on the global stage.

It was the first time after Operation Sindoor that PM Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”. He said, “Today the entire country is united against terrorism, filled with anger and determination.”

Also read | Why India-Pak truce brings little cheer as uncertainty looms large

Modi hailed Operation Sindoor as a turning point in the global fight against terror, describing it as a symbol of India's growing strength and clarity of purpose.

Lauds armed forces

“Operation Sindoor has infused new confidence and energy into the global fight against terrorism,” he said. He lauded as “extraordinary” the precision with which Indian forces attacked the terrorist infrastructure across the border.

Modi emphasised that the operation was not a one-off military action, but a reflection of a changing and resolute India. “Operation Sindoor is the picture of our resolve, courage, and a changing India,” he said, and delved on the impact of the operation that resonated deeply across the country.

The operation's success was followed by a series of gestures in tribute to the armed forces, ranging from patriotic poems on social media to paintings by children and massive Tiranga Yatras.

“In many cities, youth volunteered for civil defence, wrote poems, sang songs of resolve, and children made paintings carrying powerful messages,” Modi said.

Atmanirbhar Bharat

He talked about a recent visit to Bikaner where he was gifted paintings made by children. “In cities like Katihar and Kushinagar, families named their newborns ‘Sindoor’ in honour of the operation,” he said.

The PM credited India's home-grown defence capabilities for the mission's success, following the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. “This was the ultimate bravery of our soldiers, backed by the power of weapons, equipment, and technology made in India,” he said.

Also read | ‘When Sindoor turns into barood…’: PM Modi’s top 6 quotes in Rajasthan rally

Modi noted a renewed energy across the country towards the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign post-Operation Sindoor, saying the mission had not just inspired patriotism but also strengthened the spirit of self-reliance. “This victory carries the sweat of our engineers, technicians, and every citizen who contributed,” he said.

Fight against Maoism

Meanwhile, the prime minister said the collective fight against Maoism was yielding results with development and education taking the lead in areas that were under its influence.

Modi said basic facilities such as bus services and education were now made possible in far-flung villages such as Katejhari in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh which were earlier in the grip of Maoist violence.

“It is such a common thing to travel by bus. But I want to tell you about a village where a bus arrived for the first time. The people there had been waiting for this day for years. And when the bus arrived in the village for the first time, people welcomed it to the tune of drumbeats,” the prime minister said, narrating the incident in Katejhari village in Maharashtra.

He also cited the example of the spread of educational facilities such as science labs taking root in the Bastar and Dantewada regions of Chhattisgarh. “I was pleased to know that the results of Classes 10 and 12 examinations were spectacular,” Modi said.

He said Dantewada district topped Chhattisgarh in Class 10 examinations with 95 per cent results and ranked sixth in the state in the Class 12 examinations.

Rise in tiger count

PM Modi said the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir forest has increased from 674 to 891 in just five years, which he called a "very encouraging" development.

The Prime Minister attributed the success to collective efforts by the people of the region and the use of modern methods.

“This number of lions that emerged after the lion census is very encouraging,” he said, adding that their strength was revealed in the census that was conducted across 11 districts, covering an area of 35,000 square kilometres.

‘Sweet revolution’

The prime minister also spoke about the significance of World Bee Day, observed on May 20, calling honey a symbol of health, self-employment, and self-reliance.

Also read | Rahul targets Modi govt on Operation Sindoor: 'Informing Pakistan was a crime'

“During the last 11 years, a sweet revolution has taken place in beekeeping in India,” he said, pointing out that honey production has grown from around 70-75 thousand metric tons to about 1.25 lakh metric tons annually – an increase of about 60 per cent.

India is now among the leading countries in honey production and export, Modi said, crediting the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission for training thousands of farmers, providing equipment, and linking them directly to markets.