Operation Sindoor sent global message of India’s resolve to protect citizens: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday praised the armed forces for their valour during Operation Sindoor, saying it sent a global message about India’s resolve to protect citizens. At a Delhi blood donation camp, he also urged youth to make donation a culture

New Delhi: The Operation Sindoor demonstrated the unmatched valour of the country’s armed forces, who sent a global message that India will go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.

He was addressing an event held at the Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment. Singh commended the defence forces for eliminating terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan and ensuring that those who dared to cast an evil eye on India faced dire consequences.

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Indian armed forces conducted Operation Sindoor in May 2025 in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. “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 at the blood donation camp, titled ‘Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra’, at the Base Hospital here.

Drawing a parallel with the mega blood donation camp, Singh asserted that it represents compassion while Operation Sindoor showcased courage. Approximately 1,000 wrestlers and athletes from Maharashtra were among the donors who participated in the camp, demonstrating the spirit of selfless service and solidarity with the armed forces, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Expressing gratitude to the donors, the Union minister expressed confidence that the blood donated today would serve as a credible reserve for needy soldiers and their families in the future. He described blood donation as ‘jivandan’ and ‘mahadan’, stressing that despite remarkable advances in science and medicine, no artificial substitute for human blood has yet been developed.

Since (human) blood can only be produced by the human body and donated by one person to another, Singh said, blood donation remains “one of the noblest forms” of charity. He underlined that every blood donor and recipient is, in their own way, serving the nation, and urged the people, particularly the youth, to make blood donation a culture.

“When we celebrate 100 years of our independence in 2047, our aim should not be limited to a developed economy; we must also envision a compassionate society where people are healthy and safe, and precious resources like blood are readily available in times of need,” Singh said.

The event was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge) Pratap Rao Jadhav, Maharashtra Minister of Industries Uday Ravindra Samant, MP Srikant Eknath Shinde, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Dhiraj Seth, DG Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and other senior military and civil dignitaries, the statement said.

For AFMS, maintaining adequate blood reserves assumes particular significance as military hospitals cater to routine healthcare requirements as well as operational, trauma and emergency contingencies.

The participation of nearly 500 voluntary donors reaffirmed the ethos of ‘service before self’ and underscored the role that every eligible citizen can play in saving lives through regular voluntary blood donation, the ministry said.