Op Sindoor shows our force’s commitment to Swaraj: Shah

Pune: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said Operation Sindoor was an example of how the Indian armed forces and leadership were committed to defending the Swaraj of India, established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and expanded by Peshwa Bajirao-I.Shah was at the National Defence Academy (NDA), where he unveiled the equestrian statue of Peshwa Bajirao-I. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and both the deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with other dignitaries, were present at the event. Shah participated in an interactive session with the NDA cadets after the statue unveiling ceremony.Remembering Peshwa Bajirao-I on the occasion, Shah said, "Bajirao fought 41 wars in his life and remained undefeated. The young cadets of the NDA will derive a lot of inspiration by studying his warfare skills. The bravery and sacrifice shown by Bajirao will continue to inspire soldiers in the forces though warfare has changed over the centuries."The Union home minister said he himself got a lot of inspiration from iconic personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Peshwa Bajirao-I. He said, "Whenever I am surrounded by negative thoughts, I remember the valour of young Shivaji Maharaj and Peshwa Bajirao. Shivaji Maharaj established Swaraj, and continuing with his legacy, Peshwa Bajirao expanded Swaraj in the length and breadth of undivided India despite the hostile conditions around them."He said, "The responsibility to defend the hard-earned Swaraj lies with the 140 crore Indians. Icons like Shivaji Maharaj and Peshwa Bajirao fought hard to establish Swaraj, and when it is required to defend it, our forces and leadership will demonstrate valour. Operation Sindoor was one of the finest examples." Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Britishers, and even some Indians, tried to omit some historical events after the Mughal era. As a result, some generations could not get to know about some of the greatest warriors of the country. Our Prime Minister took efforts and made sure that the history of these great warriors reached the present generation."