Pak brought to its knees, world saw terrorist crying: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked his 75th birthday with a warning to Pakistan that India will not be deterred by nuclear threats. Referring to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander Ilyas Kashmiri’s admission that the family of terror outfit chief Masood Azhar’s family was “torn into pieces” in Operation Sindoor, Modi said Indian soldiers brought Pakistan to its knees “in the blink of an eye” and the world saw a “terrorist crying and narrating his ordeal”.

Addressing a gathering at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said through Operation Sindoor, India destroyed terror hideouts in Pakistan, adding that the nation “gives topmost priority to national security”.

“This is the new India, one that does not fear anyone’s nuclear threats and responds by striking directly at the source,” he said.

He highlighted Operation Polo in his address. “September 17 marks a historic occasion when the nation witnessed the iron resolve of Sardar Patel. On this day, the Army liberated Hyderabad from numerous atrocities and integrated it with India. This monumental achievement and the valour of the armed forces have now been formally honoured by the government. The day is now commemorated as Hyderabad Liberation Day, symbolising India’s unity,” the PM said.

Modi asked citizens to choose India-made goods — whether small items, toys for children, Diwali idols, home décor or larger purchases like mobiles, TVs and refrigerators. With reduced GST rates coming into effect from September 22, coinciding with the start of the Navratri festival, he urged everyone to purchase locally made products and benefit from the revised rates.

Modi launched the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” campaign, marking the largest-ever health outreach for women and children in India. The initiative, jointly led by the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, will involve organising more than 10 lakh health camps from September 17 to October 2 at health facilities to facilitate screenings for conditions ranging from blood pressure and diabetes to anaemia, tuberculosis and cancer.

He also launched the eighth National Nutrition Month and laid the foundation stone of the country’s first Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park.

Modi’s visit to Dhar district marked his second trip to the state on his birthday. On this day in 2022, he released eight cheetahs from Namibia into the Kuno National Park.