New Delhi: Come Friday, India is set to celebrate its 78th Independence Day, the first since Operation Sindoor.
No wonder our Armed Forces’ response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack found prominence in President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day-eve address to the nation on Thursday.
President Murmu said Operation Sindoor will be remembered as a historic example in the fight against terrorism.
Terming the terror attack on innocent citizens in Pahalgam’s Baisharan valley on April 22 as “cowardly and utterly inhuman,” Murmu said India’s response through Operation Sindoor was carried out “in a decisive manner and with steely resolve.”
“Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. It will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism.”
Launched in the early hours of May 7, Operation Sindoor destroyed nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with precision strikes, neutralising more than 100 terrorists. Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks, which India successfully defended with its robust air defence system, and hit back with strikes on several Pakistani air bases.
President Murmu said India responded “with unity” after the Pahalgam terror attack, which was “the most befitting response to those who wanted to divide us.”
Murmu added that “the world has taken note of India’s stance that we will not be aggressor but will also not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.”
She described the operation as “a test case of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector,” adding that “the outcome has proved we are on the right path.”
During her 42-minute speech, Murmu touched upon several other topics including the economy.
“In the economic field, our achievements can be clearly seen. With a GDP growth rate of 6.5% in the last fiscal year, India is the fastest-growing among the major economies in the world… Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show our economy to be in a strong position… A large number of people have been pulled out of poverty through good governance. Income disparity is reducing. Regional disparities are also disappearing. The states and regions, earlier known for weak economic performance, are now showing their true potential and catching up with the front-runners,” Murmu said.
Watch the full speech here:
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day https://t.co/AiBSvUP5La
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 14, 2025
