Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the “unmatched valour” of the Indian armed forces and sent a global message that India would go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Addressing the ‘Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra’ blood donation camp at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, Rajnath Singh said, “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.”
He commended the armed 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”.
Drawing a parallel between Operation Sindoor and the blood donation campaign, Rajnath Singh said while the military operation showcased courage, the mega blood donation camp represented compassion.
Around 1,000 wrestlers and athletes from Maharashtra participated in the campaign, demonstrating “the spirit of selfless service and solidarity with the Defence Forces”.
Expressing gratitude to the donors, Rajnath Singh said the blood donated during the camp would serve as a reserve for soldiers and their families in times of need. He described blood donation as “Jivandan” and “Mahadan”, stressing that despite advances in science and medicine, “no artificial substitute for human blood has yet been developed”.
Since blood can only be produced by the human body and donated by one person to another, Rajnath Singh said, blood donation remained “one of the noblest forms of charity”.
The Defence Minister said every blood donor and recipient was, in their own way, serving the nation. He urged 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,” he said.
Rajnath Singh also called upon the youth to prioritise fitness, saying a healthy and fit individual becomes a greater asset to society and is better equipped to undertake noble causes such as blood donation.
He said initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were encouraging citizens, particularly the youth, to make fitness a way of life.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s tradition of valour and compassion, Rajnath Singh said the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continued to inspire generations.
“The true purpose of physical strength lies in protecting others and safeguarding the nation,” he said, adding that the contribution of athletes and wrestlers from the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be remembered as “a noble service to the nation”.
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, 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 Commandant, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, Maj Gen Vishal Chaudhary, besides senior military and civil officials.
For the Armed Forces Medical Services, maintaining adequate blood reserves is particularly important as military hospitals cater not only to routine healthcare needs but also to operational, trauma and emergency contingencies.
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