At the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan, a significant women’s empowerment conclave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar on the occasion of her 300th birth anniversary. The event also served as a platform for the PM to highlight the pivotal role women have played in Operation Sindoor, India’s latest counter-terrorism initiative.
Addressing a vibrant gathering, many of whom were dressed in striking shades of vermillion, the Prime Minister remarked that the Pahalgam terror attack was not just an assault on Indian territory—it was an affront to the nation’s cultural ethos and a direct challenge to the strength of Indian women. He credited the backlash to this challenge as a key reason for the mission’s resounding success, sending a stern warning to those backing terrorism across the border.
Modi described Operation Sindoor as more than a military retaliation, calling it the most successful counter-terror operation in the nation’s history. He said the operation signals a new chapter in India’s national security—marked by decisiveness, strength, and zero tolerance for terror. The Prime Minister also redefined the symbolic meaning of vermillion, traditionally associated with marital commitment, stating that it now stands as a national icon of courage and sacrifice.
In honoring Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, he praised her progressive reforms such as promoting property rights for women, encouraging remarriage, and advocating for just marriage practices at a time when such ideas were considered radical. He also spotlighted her visionary leadership in raising an all-female army unit—ahead of her time in promoting gender parity.
The Prime Minister lauded the role of female Border Security Force (BSF) officers during Operation Sindoor, noting how women guarded border outposts from Jammu to Gujarat, led strategic operations, and dismantled enemy positions. He also celebrated the first cohort of 17 women graduating from the National Defence Academy (NDA), emphasizing that women are now vital to India’s defence—from border security to anti-insurgency operations.
Adding to the day’s events, PM Modi virtually inaugurated Phase 1 of the Indore Metro—an investment of $182 million covering five stations over six kilometers—with the inaugural ride dedicated to women. He also launched new airports in Datia and Satna and released a ₹3.6 commemorative coin and postal stamp honoring Ahilyabai Holkar, reinforcing the Madhya Pradesh government’s year-long efforts to celebrate her enduring impact.
