PM Modi: Lord Rama’s ideals came alive during Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Lord Rama’s teachings of righteousness and fighting injustice came alive in Operation Sindoor, India’s national response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Extending Diwali greetings in an open letter to citizens, the Prime Minister said the festive lights would, for the first time, illuminate homes in areas where Naxal terror has been rooted out. He was referring to the recent large-scale surrender of Naxals in Chhattisgarh.

Dwelling on the state of the Indian economy amid the US-imposed 50 per cent tariffs and the recent next-generation GST reforms and tax cuts, the PM said India is on track to becoming the world’s third-largest economy and continues to remain a symbol of stability amid global crises.

“This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor. During Operation Sindoor, Bharat not only upheld righteousness, but also avenged injustice,” the PM wrote, commenting on India launching and halting the operation when its objectives to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan were met.

Modi said this Deepavali is particularly special because, for the first time, lamps will be lit in many districts across the country, including remote areas.

“These are districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated from the root. In recent times, we have seen many individuals abandoning the path of violence and joining the mainstream of development, expressing faith in the Constitution of our country. This is a major achievement for the nation,” the PM noted.

He said the country had embarked on next-generation reforms in recent days and on the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented. During this “GST Bachat Utsav” (Savings Festival), citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees, the PM added.

Stressing Indian economic resilience, the PM said in a world experiencing multiple crises, Bharat had emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity and is on track to become the third-largest economy in the world in the near future.

Batting for self-reliance, he said for the journey of “Viksit” (developed) and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), everyone’s primary responsibility as citizens was to fulfil duties towards the nation.

“Let us adopt ‘Swadeshi’ (local products) and proudly say: ‘This is Swadeshi!’ Let us promote the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. Let us respect all languages. Let us maintain cleanliness. Let us prioritise our health. Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10 per cent and embrace yoga. All these efforts will rapidly move us towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” said Modi.

He said Deepavali teaches that when one lamp lights another, its glow does not diminish but grows even brighter. “With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepavali,” the PM said.