Subhechcha Ganguly 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a massive public gathering in Bhopal, where he hailed Operation Sindoor as the biggest and most successful anti-terror mission in India’s history. The operation was launched in response to the brutal killing of civilians in Pahalgam on April 22.
Highlighting the unprecedented nature of the military action, PM Modi declared, “Our armed forces demolished terror camps deep inside territories where even the Pakistani army wouldn’t have dared to venture.” He asserted that Operation Sindoor sends a clear message: “Proxy wars through terrorists are unacceptable. We will now strike inside your territory, and those who support terrorism will pay a heavy price.”
Linking the operation’s name to Indian culture and feminine strength, Modi said, “Sindoor is a symbol of ‘Naari Shakti’ in our tradition. The terrorists attacked not just Indians in Pahalgam but also challenged our traditions and womanhood — a challenge that proved fatal for them and their backers.”
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister participated in the Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan held in honour of the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar — the legendary 18th-century queen celebrated for her administrative acumen and devotion to social welfare.
At the event held at Bhopal’s Jamboori Maidan, PM Modi inaugurated key development projects, including the Super Priority Corridor of the Indore Metro and new airports in Datia and Satna. He also laid the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure initiatives and virtually transferred the first installment for 1,271 Atal Gram Seva Sadans worth ₹483 crore.
Commemorating Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, the PM released a postal stamp and a ₹300 coin in her honour and conferred the National Devi Ahilyabai Award on an acclaimed artist for contributions to tribal and traditional arts.
According to officials, the six-kilometre-long Super Priority Corridor of Indore Metro’s Yellow Line will provide the city with a modern, eco-friendly transit system, further bolstering its reputation as India’s cleanest city.
