Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Pahalgam terror strike last month was assault on “spirit spirit of brotherhood”.
Underlining that the attack in Pahalgam was not just an assault on Indians but an attack on humanity and the spirit of brotherhood, he highlighted that the terrorists not only stole the happiness of many families but also attempted to divide the people of India. “Today, the world is witnessing India’s unprecedented unity and the nation has come together to send a clear message to terrorists and their supporters” declared PM Modi. He stated that they caused pain by wiping the sindoor off the foreheads of Indian daughters, but India responded with Operation Sindoor against the perpetrators. He said that after the destruction of terrorist bases, Pakistan attempted to target Indian civilians and soldiers but was exposed in the process. PM Modi emphasized that India responded by dismantling several of Pakistan’s airbases, demonstrating the nation’s strategic capabilities.
Addressing the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood function at Paljor Stadium here, Modi said the Himalayan state is the “pride of the nation” and its people believe in democracy.
The prime minister regretted that he could not attend the function at the statehood celebrations due to inclement weather, but assured that he would visit the state in future.
“Operation Sindoor against terrorists in the wake of the Pahalgam attack was a befitting reply to those who unleashed terror in India. What terrorists did in Pahalgam was an attack on humanity, and we are now united in the fight against terrorism,” the PM said virtually from Bagdogra in West Bengal.
The PM inaugurated a slew of infrastructure projects and laid the foundation stones of several others.
The projects inaugurated by Modi included a 500-bed District Hospital in Namchi, ‘Swarna Jayanti Maitreya Manjari’ (at White Hall, Ridge Park), a passenger ropeway at Pelling to Sangacholing Monastery, a ‘gaushala’ at Mamring and a statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Gangtok district.
He also laid the foundation stones for a district hospital at Pakyong, a visitor experience centre at Nathula, and the conversion of Singshore Bridge into a glass skywalk.
He also unveiled the Bhaleydunga Skywalk project, a working women’s hostel at Gangtok (Tadong), Swarna Jayanti Convention Centre at Namli, and Swarna Jayanti Sports and Cultural Centre near Gangtok.
The prime minister congratulated the people of Sikkim on the completion of 50 years of statehood and said he was glad that the people of the Himalayan state chose to join a democratic India to be part of development and prosperity.
Modi hailed Sikkim for being a “shining example of the blending of biodiversity and spiritualism”.
Sikkim is rich in biodiversity and has set examples in nature conservation, he added.
The state has also become a big tourist destination despite being small in size and welcomes around 10 lakh visitors annually, he said.
Recalling the contributions of great sportspersons Bhaichung Bhutia, Tarundeep Rai and Jaspal Pradhan, he said that Sikkim has the potential to become a hub of sports activities.
The prime minister said the NDA government was dedicated to making India a sports superpower.
“We want Northeast, including Sikkim, to move in this direction. Sikkim has the potential to become a hub of adventure sports,” he added.
The prime minister said Sikkim was increasing organic exports, which was a big achievement for the state.
He added that connectivity was the main focus of the Centre, and the Sevoke-Rangpo project will link the Himalayan state with the country’s rail network. (Agencies)
Pahalgam attack was assault on ‘spirit of brotherhood’: PM Modi
