New Delhi, Aug 9: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Operation Sindoor sent a global message that India would go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens, while asserting that the armed forces had demonstrated their resolve by targeting terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan.
Singh made the remarks while addressing the ‘Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra’ blood donation camp at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment.
The event saw participation from sportspersons and voluntary donors, including around 1,000 wrestlers and athletes from Maharashtra, according to the Defence Ministry.
“Operation Sindoor demonstrated the unmatched valour of our defence forces who sent a global message that India will go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens while protecting the sindoor worn by our women,” Singh said.
He commended the armed forces for eliminating terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan and said those who attempted to target India had faced consequences.
Drawing a comparison between the military operation and the blood donation campaign, Singh said Operation Sindoor represented courage while the blood donation drive reflected compassion and selfless service.
The Defence Minister expressed gratitude to the donors and said the blood collected during the campaign would serve as a reserve for soldiers and their families in need. He described blood donation as “Jivandan” and “Mahadan”, noting that despite advances in medical science, there is no artificial substitute for human blood.
Singh said blood could only be produced by the human body and transferred from one person to another through donation, making voluntary blood donation an important form of service.
He said both blood donors and recipients contributed to national service in their own way and urged people, particularly the youth, to make voluntary blood donation a regular practice.
Referring to the government’s vision for 2047, Singh said India’s goal should extend beyond becoming a developed economy to building a society in which people are healthy and safe and adequate blood reserves are available during emergencies.
The Defence Minister also called upon young people to prioritise physical fitness, saying healthy and fit individuals could contribute more effectively to society and participate in initiatives such as blood donation.
He highlighted initiatives including Khelo India and Fit India, saying these programmes were encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to adopt fitness as a way of life.
Singh also referred to Maharashtra’s tradition associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said the participation of athletes and wrestlers from the state reflected a commitment to service and the protection of others.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of State for Ayush Pratap Rao Jadhav, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Ravindra Samant, Lok Sabha MP Dr Srikant Lata Eknath Shinde, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, DG Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Adjutant General Lt Gen VPS Kaushik and other senior military and civil officials.
The Armed Forces Medical Services said maintaining adequate blood reserves was important as military hospitals cater to routine healthcare as well as operational, trauma and emergency requirements. The ministry said nearly 500 voluntary donors participated in the camp.
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