Lauds Operation Sindoor on Independence Day eve
DH NEWS SERVICE
new delhi, Aug 14
Hailing the inauguration of the rail link in Kashmir as a major accomplishment, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said rail connectivity with the Valley will boost trade and tourism in the region and open new economic possibilities.
In her address to the nation on the eve of 79th Independency Day, Murmu said the engineering marvel in Kashmir is a historic milestone for the country.
“The Railways has innovated and introduced new types of trains and coaches equipped with latest technologies. The inauguration of the rail link in Kashmir Valley is a major accomplishment. Rail connectivity with the Valley will boost trade and tourism in the region and open new economic possibilities. This engineering marvel in Kashmir is a historic milestone for our country,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June inaugurated the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river, along with the Anji Khad bridge, India’s first cable-stayed bridge.
He also flagged off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which provides direct train connectivity to the Kashmir valley.
The first freight train also arrived in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday as the Northern Railway opened its Anantnag goods shed under its larger USBRL project for the movement of goods.
The president said business leaders, small and medium industries and traders have always exhibited a can-do spirit but what was needed was removing the bottlenecks in the path of wealth creation.
“That is so visible when it comes to infrastructure development over the past decade. We have expanded and strengthened the national highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana,” Murmu said.
President Droupadi Murmu said the nation witnessed “terrible violence” during India-Pakistan partition and paid tributes to the victims of the horror.
Addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President Murmu said, “Today we observed Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. Terrible violence was witnessed, and millions were forced to relocate due to partition. Today, we pay tributes to the victims of the follies of history.”
The president lauded Operation Sindoor and called the Pahalgam terror attack “utterly inhuman.” Murmu said India responded to the attack with steely resolve. “Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe, Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism,” she said.
The president said India’s unity in the aftermath of the attack was a befitting response to those who wanted to divide us. “Our unity was on display also in the multi-party delegations of the Members of Parliament that reached out to various nations to explain India’s position. The world has taken note of India’s stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.”
President Murmu added that Operation Sindoor was also a test case of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. “Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements,” she said.
On India’s economy, President Murmu said, “India is well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence.” She added, “Even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead. Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health.”
