BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
HALDWANI 17 May: A grand event, the Tiranga Shaurya Samman Yatra, was organised here on Saturday to honour the historic victory of Operation Sindoor, successfully conducted by the Indian Armed forces. Thousands of locals, youth, women, and ex-servicemen participated in the Yatra, which commenced from Mini Stadium and concluded at Shaheed Park in Haldwani.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami led the Yatra, paying tribute to martyred soldiers by laying a floral wreath. He saluted the soldiers who took part in Operation Sindoor, stating that India had once again demonstrated its ability to take decisive action against terrorism. He remarked that through this mission, India had shown the valour of its brave sons and sent a strong message that the country would now respond to terrorist activities in its own language.
He emphasised that Uttarakhand is a land of bravery, where nearly every family is connected to military service. He urged young people to draw inspiration from the discipline and commitment of soldiers. He praised Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that India is now equipped to counter any terrorist threat and that national security is being reinforced with indigenous technology. He highlighted that the Indian Army today responds to bullets with shells.
Dhami asserted that India had delivered a stern response to its enemies and reiterated his admiration for the military. He also reminded the people of Modi’s assertion that India would not tolerate threats, adding that India had retaliated in a manner that would deter any future hostility. He credited Modi’s leadership for enabling India to conduct decisive strikes against terrorism and reaffirmed that the yatra was a tribute to the courage of the Armed forces.
The Chief Minister also stressed that Indian forces now directly confront threats, ensuring that terrorism and its supporters are neutralised. He expressed pride in the overwhelming public participation in the Jan-Gana-Man Yatra, stating that it symbolised India’s unity and resilience against terrorism. Referring to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he acknowledged the anger among citizens and credited Modi for authorising a direct strike against the root of terrorism.
He remarked that the Indian Army had taught a tough lesson to Pakistan-backed terror outfits without violating territorial boundaries. Military bases supporting terror operations were also targeted using drones and missiles. He assured that under Modi’s leadership, India remains in strong hands. Since 2014, efforts to modernise the army have intensified, with a focus on manufacturing Made in India weapons. He pointed out that India’s recent military actions had demonstrated its growing self-sufficiency in defence technology.
Dhami praised the effectiveness of India’s indigenous weapons, stating that they were superior to foreign counterparts. He recalled Operation Sindoor’s swift success, noting that Pakistan was forced to request a ceasefire within four days. He affirmed that Uttarakhand remains a state of brave soldiers, with one in five military personnel hailing from the state.
During the rally, the Chief Minister appeared to be visibly emotional, reminiscing about the sacrifices made by Uttarakhand’s soldiers. He said that as the son of a soldier, he deeply values the contribution of the armed forces.
Several prominent leaders and officials attended the event, including Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt, MLAs Banshidhar Bhagat, Diwan Singh Bisht, Sarita Arya, Ram Singh Kaida, Mohan Singh Bisht, Gajraj Bisht, and Bela Tolia, Pratap Bisht, Vikas Sharma, Anil Kapoor Dabbu, Deepak Mehra, Dinesh Arya, Shankar Koranga, Renu Adhikari, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, IG Kumaon Ridhim Aggarwal, DM Vandana, and SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena.
