‘Operation Sindoor success due to self-reliance in defence’: President Murmu’s address on the eve of Republic Day. india news

Last updated:25 January 2026, 21:07 IST

President Draupadi Murmu said that today’s India is moving forward with a new confidence rooted in its glorious traditions and “Gyan Bharatam”.

President Draupadi Murmu on Sunday said India’s self-reliance in the defense sector propelled the success of Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Addressing the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Murmu underlined the firm commitment to national security by highlighting the success of the operation, which was focused on destroying terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Highlighting the country’s “self-reliance” in the field of defence, he said, “Last year, our country carried out precise strikes against terrorist infrastructure…terrorist centers were destroyed, and many terrorists were killed.”

Reflecting on the strength of the armed forces, the President recalled personal visits to Siachen Base Camp and flights in Sukhoi, Rafale and submarine INS Waghshir.

“Based on the strength of the Army, Air Force and Navy, people have full confidence in our defense-readiness,” he said, linking military readiness to India’s ability to advocate peace from a position of strength.

india ambassador of peace

Addressing the nation, President Murmu underlined India’s position as an “ambassador” of peace, reinforcing the ancient civilizational commitment to universal harmony.

He said India was spreading a “message of peace” amid rising geopolitical tensions in several continents.

The President also appreciated the preparedness of the armed forces to protect civilians. He reflected on India’s democratic journey, constitutional ideals and shared responsibilities.

President Murmu greeted citizens on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day and said, “We, the people of India, are going to celebrate Republic Day with pomp and show at home and abroad. The auspicious occasion of Republic Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the status and direction of our country in the past, present and future. The power of our freedom movement changed the status of our country on August 15, 1947. India became independent.”

We become the architects of our national destiny

He recalled that the freedom movement changed the destiny of India on August 15, 1947, when the country gained independence and began building its own future. He said that the full implementation of the Constitution freed India from the dominance system and led to the birth of a democratic republic.

He said, “Our Constitution is the foundational document of the largest republic in the history of the world. The ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution define our republic. The framers of the Constitution have provided a strong foundation for the spirit of nationalism and unity of the country through the constitutional provisions…”

President Murmu appreciated Vande Mataram

In his address, the President highlighted the importance of Vande Mataram and said that it is the lyrical national prayer of the country. He recalled how nationalist poet Subramania Bharati popularized Vande Mataram through his Tamil composition “Vande Mataram Yenbom”.

“The great nationalist poet Subramanya Bharati composed the song “Vande Mataram Yenbom” in Tamil language, meaning “Let us chant Vande Mataram”, and connected the public to the spirit of Vande Mataram on an even larger scale. Translations of this song into other Indian languages also became popular. Sri Aurobindo translated this song into English. Vande Mataram, composed by the venerable Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is our lyrical national prayer,” he Said.

He further informed that the nation recently paid tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, which was celebrated as Parakram Diwas to inspire the youth with his enduring spirit of patriotism and his slogan “Jai Hind”.

“Two days ago, on January 23, the nation paid its respectful tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. From 2021, Netaji’s birth anniversary is celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ so that people, especially the youth, can draw inspiration from his indomitable patriotism. Netaji’s slogan ‘Jai Hind’ is a declaration of our national pride…” he said.

Rise of women power in nation building

President Murmu also talked about the achievements of women and said that women are breaking stereotypes and playing a decisive role in nation building, from agriculture and space to sports and armed forces.

He said, “They are actively contributing to the overall development of the country. More than ten crore women associated with self-help groups are redefining the process of development. Women are making their mark in every field from agriculture to space, from self-employment to armed forces.”

The President described India’s victories in women’s cricket and chess as a symbol of its growing dominance.

He said, “Our daughters have set new standards globally in the field of sports. Last year in November, India’s daughters wrote a golden chapter in sports history by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and subsequently the Visually Impaired Women’s T20 World Cup. Last year, the final match of the Chess World Cup was played between two Indian women. These examples are a testimony to the dominance of India’s daughters in the world of sports. The people of the country are proud of them.”

She said now about 46 per cent of representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions are women and the Nari Shakti Vandan Act is set to take political empowerment to “unprecedented heights”, thereby ensuring that women-led development remains a national priority.

He said that the role of women power will be important in building a developed India. He said that with the increasing contribution of women, India will set an example of an inclusive republic based on gender equality.

India is the fastest growing major economy in the world

President Murmu lauded India’s emergence as the world’s fastest growing major economy and attributed this resilience to deep structural reforms and commitment to self-reliance.

He said that despite the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, India is now on track to become the world’s third largest economy in the near future.

The cornerstone of this economic transformation has been the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which the President described as the most important decision for economic integration since independence.

He said the journey towards becoming the third largest economy is being guided by the twin principles of ‘self-reliance’ and ‘swadeshi’ and the government’s focus on world-class infrastructure and labor reforms is expected to further accelerate the growth of enterprises.

President talks about progress in poverty alleviation

He also highlighted India’s transformational progress in poverty alleviation, noting that millions of citizens struggling with poverty for decades have finally been lifted above the poverty line.

Embodying the spirit of ‘Antyodaya’, he said, the government’s focus is on ensuring that these citizens do not fall into the “poverty trap” again.

The President reaffirmed the core ideal that “no one should go hungry in our country”, adding that various schemes of the Central Government are currently providing critical assistance to about 81 crore beneficiaries.

He emphasized that the path to ‘Developed India’ must be inclusive with special focus on tribal and marginalized communities through targeted interventions.

“Such efforts for the welfare of the poor give concrete shape to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideal of Sarvodaya (progress for all),” he said.

Developing India is a ‘shared responsibility’

Emphasizing that building a developed India is a “shared responsibility”, he called on local institutions in every village and town to act as instruments of progressive change.

He also highlighted a significant effort towards cultural decolonization and said the government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate “remnants of colonial mentality” in a time-bound manner.

The President said that today’s India is moving forward with new confidence rooted in its glorious traditions and the “Gyan Bharatam” approach.

He emphasized that self-reliance is not just economic but also cultural and that by placing renewed emphasis on Indian languages ​​and indigenous knowledge systems, the State is providing a distinctive cultural base for the pursuit of complete self-reliance.

(with inputs from agencies)

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