Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Operation Sindoor sent a clear message to the world that India would go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens while protecting the dignity symbolised by the sindoor worn by women.
Addressing the ‘Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra’ blood donation camp at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, Singh lauded the armed forces for their valour during Operation Sindoor and said they had eliminated terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan, ensuring that those who attempted to threaten India faced serious consequences.
Drawing a parallel between the military operation and the blood donation drive, the Defence Minister said Operation Sindoor represented courage, while the mega blood donation campaign symbolised compassion and selfless service.
Around 1,000 wrestlers and athletes from Maharashtra participated in the initiative as donors, demonstrating solidarity with the armed forces. Singh expressed gratitude to the donors and said the blood collected through the campaign would provide a credible reserve for soldiers and their families in need.
Describing blood donation as ‘Jivandan’ and ‘Mahadan’, Singh said that despite advances in science and medicine, there is still no artificial substitute for human blood. Since blood can only be produced by the human body and transferred from one person to another, he said, donating blood remains one of the noblest forms of charity.
The Defence Minister said every blood donor and recipient contributes to the service of the nation in their own way and called upon people, particularly the youth, to make voluntary blood donation a regular practice.
Referring to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, Singh said the country’s vision should go beyond economic growth and include the creation of a compassionate society where people are healthy and safe and essential resources such as blood are readily available during emergencies.
He also urged young people to prioritise physical fitness, saying that healthy and fit citizens can contribute more effectively to society and undertake noble causes such as blood donation. He highlighted government initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India for encouraging the youth to make fitness a part of their lifestyle.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s long-standing tradition of courage and compassion, Singh invoked the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said the true purpose of physical strength was to protect others and safeguard the nation. He said the contribution of athletes and wrestlers from Maharashtra to the blood donation campaign would be remembered as a noble service to the country.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge) Pratap Rao Jadhav, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Ravindra Samant, MP 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 Cantt, Maj Gen Vishal Chaudhary, among other senior military and civil officials.
For the Armed Forces Medical Services, maintaining adequate blood reserves is particularly important as military hospitals handle routine medical care as well as operational, trauma and emergency requirements. The participation of nearly 500 voluntary donors at the camp reaffirmed the ethos of ‘Service Before Self’ and highlighted the role citizens can play in saving lives through regular voluntary blood donation.
