Sudhir Kumar / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stated that the surgical strike by the Indian Army on the terrorist hideouts in Pakistan demonstrated a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy to the world.
Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Mr Modi said India is set to mark the tenth anniversary of the surgical strike tomorrow (28th September). He said the world was astonished to see the manner in which brave Indian soldiers crossed the Line of Control to take action against terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi said the surgical strike was India’s decisive response to the long-standing pain the nation had endured due to terrorist attacks. He stated that over the past decade – from the Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor ’, India has repeatedly sent the message that terrorist strikes will be met with a befitting response.
Mr Modi recounted that there was a time when serial blasts had become a common occurrence in the country. He said many lives were lost in the serial blasts in Delhi on 13th September, 2008.
The 26/11 attack took place just a few weeks later in Mumbai. He highlighted that today, India pursues a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and country is witnessing the results of that.
Prime Minister Modi said this year also marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He said that the highest number of victims at the World Trade Center in the US, after Americans, were Indians.
He recalled paying homage to those innocent citizens during his US visit after becoming Prime Minister in 2014. He once again extended his condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of crores of Indian citizens.
Touching upon the topic of the ongoing census, Mr Modi said the first phase of this exercise is nearly complete across all States and Union Territories.
Data of over 32 crore families has already been recorded. Work is currently underway also in the remote, snow-clad regions of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
The Prime Minister noted that many inspiring experiences have emerged from these areas. In Uttarakhand, the census process began in the village of Mana in Chamoli, which is known as the country’s first village.
Prime Minister Modi said the process there started with 83-year-old Purnima Rawat. In Bagori village of Uttarkashi, Hardev Singh Rana, who runs a homestay, entered his details himself using digital means.
Mr Modi emphasised that the census is a national responsibility for all. He added that the facility to self-register census details is very convenient and people can register information about themselves and their family from their mobiles. Along with Hindi, this facility is available in 16 languages.
The Prime Minister asked people to visit the census online portal, se.census.gov.in, and log in with their mobile number, enter location, fill in details regarding their family and submit the information.
The Prime Minister said the entire process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. No document needs to be uploaded for this. After submitting the information, people will receive a special ID, which can be shared with the census enumerator when they pay a visit. After the information is verified, it becomes part of the census record.
Prime Minister Modi informed that so far, more than 2 crore 60 lakh people have already entered their details on the census portal via mobile, completing the self-enumeration. He said accurate information about citizens and their families helps create a precise picture of the country’s future.
The Prime Minister said today marks the 100th birth anniversary of the revered late Ashok Singhal, who was the former International Working President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He called him a great personality who dedicated his entire life to culture, society, and the nation.
Born on 27th September, 1926, in Agra, Ashok Singhal led a life as an ascetic even though living amidst society.
Prime Minister Modi said the very direction and energy he imparted to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement veritably resulted in the magnificent temple in Ayodhya today.
Alongside the Ram Mandir movement, Ashok Singhal also waged a major battle against social discrimination and inequality. Mr Modi offered his tributes on the occasion of his birth centenary.
The Prime Minister said the nation began this year with a grand celebration of national pride, which is the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. He said that Mahmud of Ghazni had demolished the Somnath Temple for the first time a thousand years ago in 1026 AD.
He highlighted that the Somnath Temple still stands in all its grandeur by the sea, bestowing the blessing of immortality upon India. He added that this is why the Somnath Swabhiman Parv was celebrated with immense pride this year.
Mr Modi mentioned that he brought up this topic in Mann Ki Baat today for a special reason. In 1026 AD, when Ghazni destroyed the Somnath Temple, the famous Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat, was also attacked and destroyed the same year.