Madhya Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Indian soldiers brought Pakistan to its knees “in the blink of an eye” during Operation Sindoor.
He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Modi also launched the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ and the 8th ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah’ campaigns, aimed at improving women’s health and promoting nutrition.
“Our brave soldiers brought Pakistan to its knees in the blink of an eye,” Modi said. “Just yesterday, the country and the world saw a Pakistani terrorist weeping and recounting his plight,” Modi said.
He was apparently referring to a viral video in which a Jaish-e-Mohamad (JeM) commander is heard explaining how the Indian armed forces entered their hideout and attacked them.
Months after India destroyed several terror establishments in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, the JeM commander has admitted that the family of Masood Azhar, the terror group’s top commander, was “torn into pieces” in strikes on Bahawalpur.
“This is the New India, which does not fear any nuclear threats. It enters the enemy’s house and strikes,” Modi said.
“Terrorists from Pakistan desecrated the vermilion of our sisters and daughters. We carried out Operation Sindoor and demolished the terror launch pads,” he said.
Making a strong pitch for swadeshi goods, Modi said the ongoing festive season is also a time to reaffirm the mantra of swadeshi, and urged citizens to ensure that whatever they buy or sell is made in India.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s use of swadeshi as a tool for Independence, Modi said it must now become the foundation of a developed India. This will be possible only when people take pride in swadeshi products, he said.
Modi appealed to people to choose Indian-made goods, be it small items, toys for children, Diwali idols, home decor, or larger purchases like mobiles, TVs, and refrigerators.
He stressed the importance of checking whether a product is made in India, as buying swadeshi keeps money within the country, prevents capital outflow, and contributes directly to national development.
This money helps build roads, village schools, and primary health centres, and supports welfare schemes that reach the poor, he said.
Modi said that when essential goods are manufactured domestically, they generate employment for fellow citizens.
With reduced GST rates coming into effect from September 22, coinciding with the start of Navratri, everyone should purchase swadeshi products and benefit from the revised rates, he said.
“Shops selling ‘made in India’ goods should have ‘Garv se kaho yeh swadeshi hai’ boards,” he said.
Modi’s visit to Dhar district marked his second trip to the state on his birthday. On this day in 2022, he released eight cheetahs from Namibia in the Kuno National Park.
Modi said that on September 17, 1948, the nation witnessed the iron will of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“Indian army liberated Hyderabad from oppression, safeguarded the rights of its people, and reinstated the pride of India,” he said. We have now begun to observe this day as Hyderabad Liberation Day,” he said.
Laying the foundation of India’s largest integrated textile park in Dhar district, Modi said this park will infuse new energy into the country’s textile industry.
Farmers will receive fair value for their produce and a large number of youth will gain employment opportunities, he said.
Stressing the critical importance of the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ campaign, Modi said no woman should suffer due to lack of awareness or resources.
Many diseases silently develop and become severe due to late detection, especially those posing high risks to women, he said.
As part of the campaign, screenings will be conducted for conditions ranging from blood pressure and diabetes to anaemia, tuberculosis, and cancer. All tests and medicines will be provided free of cost, with the government bearing the expenses, he said.
Addressing the serious challenge of sickle cell anaemia in tribal regions, Modi said the government launched a national mission in 2023 to protect tribal communities from this disease.
“The mission was launched from Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, where the first sickle cell screening card was issued. Today, I gave the one croreth card to a girl at this event,” he said.
Under this campaign, more than five crore individuals have been screened across the country, he added.
The impact of the government’s policies is now visible to the world, with 25 crore people in India having risen out of poverty, Modi said.
Modi also launched the Suman Sakhi Chatbot, to raise awareness on maternal and child health. The chatbot will provide timely and accurate information to pregnant women in rural and remote areas, ensuring access to essential health services.
He also gifted a sapling to a beneficiary of a women’s self-help group under the Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam initiative of the state government.
At the programme, Modi also accepted greetings from the crowd on his 75th birthday.
