Sindoor Of Sacrifice; Spirit Of Steel

As the cannons roared and courage rose, India witnessed a symphony of steel and spirit in Operation Sindoor. From the scarred airfields of Bhuj to the bustling ports of Gujarat, a nation stood united—its soul stirred; its resolve unbroken. With every chant of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” the echo of valour swept through borderlands, villages, and cities. Women who once rebuilt runways with bare hands, traders who paused profit for patriotism, and citizens who dimmed lights to shield their soil—all formed the living heartbeat of this momentous stand

In a stirring tribute to the valour and devotion of the Indian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi evoked the nation's spirit with a resounding “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” amid the unfolding Operation Sindoor. This mission—etched in courage and guided by strategic brilliance—stands as a luminous testament to India’s indomitable spirit and military prowess.

The operation showcased a perfectly synchronised and calibrated effort by the government, the armed forces, and the unwavering faith of the Indian people, who stood firmly with the nation in the wake of the dastardly Pahalgam attack.

Public sentiment was boiling with anger, and this solidarity was reflected in the widespread support for the government's decisive actions.

In stark contrast, opposition parties—particularly the INDIA bloc—initially made ill-considered and insensitive remarks before falling into an uneasy silence. However, this silence should not be mistaken for genuine solidarity. Their recent attempts to blame Modi for the Pahalgam incident, as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge did, reveal a disturbing lack of national responsibility. Opposition parties never ever had displayed such insensitivity in times of national crisis.

These leaders often speak without substance, exposing their ignorance repeatedly—much like Pakistan, which routinely boasts about its nuclear arsenal but folds under pressure when India responds with firm resolve.

An inspiring episode from the 1971 war exemplifies the courage and unity of the ordinary Indians. On the night of December 8, 1971, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bombed the Bhuj airstrip, dropping 64 bombs from B-57 aircraft, rendering it inoperative. As panic spread and even the contractor and labour tasked with repairs fled, Nari Shakti, in the form of 300 women from Madhapar village, just five km away, stepped in. Using whatever tools were available, they rebuilt the runway in a record 72 hours, enabling the resumption of IAF operations. This airfield was targeted 35 times in just 14 days.

Yet, such awe-inspiring stories seldom find a place in our school textbooks. Instead, the petty and divisive rhetoric of opposition leaders dominate the discourse. Though war veterans have long recommended including these heroic narratives in educational material, bureaucratic apathy and political short-sightedness have stalled any progress.

Even during Operation Sindoor, Bhuj remained a strategic target. Pakistan attempted drone strikes, prompting a district-wide blackout. Yet again, the people rose to the occasion. Weddings were held in the morning without fanfare—no bands, no DJs, no lights. Guest lists were curtailed, and celebrations were subdued. Villagers even disconnected solar-powered streetlights in compliance with the blackout protocols.

Such examples of civic discipline and national unity should be a lesson for political parties, who seek to exploit every crisis for narrow political gains.

Ironically, AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi set an example by standing firmly with the government, proving that while political differences may exist, the nation's sovereignty must come first.

The Indian army’s precise strikes during Operation Sindoor stirred a wave of patriotism. The entire nation, touched by their bravery, echoed “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The operation’s impact was felt across the Line of Control, temporarily disrupting trade, commerce, tourism, and industry.

Gujarat, known for its dynamic economy driven by manufacturing, port-based trade, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, was not spared. As the fog of war settled, the state faced immediate disruptions. Airports in Jamnagar, Bhuj, and Kandla were shut due to temporary airspace closures, affecting civilian and cargo air traffic. This severely impacted logistics, particularly in sensitive sectors like pharmaceuticals and diamond exports.

The state’s coastline, dotted with vital ports like Kandla, Mundra, and Pipavav, faced stringent security checks, slowing down customs clearances and container movement. While imperative for national security, these protocols created bottlenecks for importers and exporters. Yet, traders declared with conviction: India First.

Industries reliant on imported raw materials—chemicals, petrochemicals, engineering—experienced reduced operations in hubs like Dahej and Hazira. Labour shortages and workforce mobility issues further affected productivity and revenues.

Investor sentiment was shaken. Gujarat, usually a magnet for both domestic and foreign investment, saw temporary caution due to its proximity to the conflict zones. The Gujarat Stock Exchange and regional markets witnessed volatility, especially in sectors like logistics, aviation, and exports. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), already cautious amid global uncertainties, adopted a wait-and-watch approach.

Urban industrial centres like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Rajkot saw temporary dips in factory attendance, necessitating added resources for employee counselling, safety, and logistics.

Tourism, one of Gujarat’s fastest-growing sectors, took a major hit.

Destinations like the Rann of Kutch, Somnath, Dwarka, Gir National Park, and the Statue of Unity witnessed sharp declines in tourist arrivals. Fears of escalation and disrupted infrastructure led to cancellations. Hotel occupancy in key towns dropped by over 40 per cent and tour operators had to scale down services.

Social media played a dual role during the operation—serving as a tool for real-time updates while also becoming a hotbed for misinformation. Several arrests were made in Vadodara and Ahmedabad for spreading provocative and false content.

Despite the disruptions, Gujarat’s business community has demonstrated remarkable resilience. From the 2001 earthquake to the Covid-19 pandemic, people displayed unmatched adaptability. This time, too, the public’s mood was clear: “Paise to phir bhi kama lenge, Pakistan ko sabak sikhao.” (We can earn money again, but teach Pakistan a lesson now).

The massive turnout for the BJP's Tiranga Yatra in Ahmedabad stood as a symbol of Gujarat’s unwavering patriotism. As tricolours fluttered and chants of unity echoed, one message was loud and clear—when the nation calls, Gujarat answers.

A similar sense of patriotism was felt across all the border states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, or Rajasthan. People stood united, bracing for any eventuality and expressing solidarity with the armed forces.

But somehow, such spirit seemed absent in the two Telugu-speaking states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where life was gone about as usual—full of celebrations, parties, and political activity. There appeared to be a lack of concern for the gravity of the war situation, a dissonance that stood out starkly against the nationwide wave of patriotic fervour.

The media too was no exception. It was not much concerned about ground reporting or practical analysis of the situation and was more focussed on graphics, which made no sense, while the commentary and analysis lacked depth and seriousness.

(The author is former Chief Editor of Hans India)