Op Sindoor Displayed Valour: President Murmu

 New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday lauded the valour of Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor, saying India’s measured response to terrorism was for the world to see and its military action will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism. In her address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President Murmu said India's response to Pahalgam attack was in a decisive manner and with steely resolve.

Terming the Pahalgam attack “cowardly and utterly inhuman” the President said, “Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism.”

“In our response, what was most noticeable was our unity, which is also the most befitting response to those who wanted to divide us. Our unity was on display also in the multi-party delegations of the Members of Parliament that reached out to various nations to explain India’s position. The world has taken note of India’s stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens,” the President further said.

She added that Operation Sindoor was also a test case of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector and India’s indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes its self-sufficient in meeting many of its security requirements. “These are landmark achievements in India’s defence history since Independence,” Mrs Murmu underlined.

The President has on Thursday approved gallantary awards for several soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor.

Talking about India’s strides towards development and economic growth, the President said India is now well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence. She said that the all-round economic growth complemented by social sector initiatives has placed India well on the path of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

The President added that in the economic field, country’s achievements are all the more noticeable. With a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent in the last fiscal, India is the fastest growing among the major economies in the world and even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead, she said.

“Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health. This is as much due to carefully calibrated reforms and sagacious economic management as due to the hard work and dedication of our workers and farmers,” she further said.

President mentioned that a large number of people have been pulled out of poverty through good governance adding the government has been running a series of welfare initiatives for the poor and also for those who have risen above the poverty line but are still vulnerable.

“This is reflected in the rising expenditure on social services. Income inequality is reducing. Regional disparities are also disappearing. The States and regions, earlier known for weaker economic performance, are now showing their true potential and catching up with the front-runners,” she said.

Talking about the healthcare sector, she said India has been witnessing a paradigm shift with a variety of initiatives under Ayushman Bharat, which is the largest healthcare scheme of its kind in the world. She mentioned that this scheme has already provided cover to more than 55 crore people and added the government has now extended this benefit to all senior citizens of the age of 70 years and above, regardless of their income.

On technology and Artificial Intelligence, Mrs Murmu mentioned that the government has launched the India-AI mission to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities. “It is also helping to build AI models that answer to India’s specific requirements. As we aspire to become a global-AI-hub by 2047, our focus will remain on making the best use of the advances in technology for the common people, to improve their lives by improving governance,” she added.

She also mentioned India’s space programme that witnessed Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey to the International Space Station saying his feat has fired a whole generation to dream bigger and will prove extremely helpful for India’s upcoming human space flight program, ‘Gaganyaan’.