Operation Sindoor has become a new example of women's leadership: Minister Devi

Time of India

25-05-2025

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Nagpur: Union minister of women and child development
Annapurna Devi
said that the recently conducted '
Operation Sindoor
' became a new example of women's leadership on Sunday.
Speaking at the one-day national conference on philosopher queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar at IIM-Nagpur in Mihan, the union minister said our daughters in the armed forces gave a befitting reply to the cowardly terror act in Pahalgam last month.
She also pointed out that Holkar was ahead of her times and introduced social reforms 300 years ago which continue to inspire the Modi govt too.
"In the 93-year-old history of IMA, the first women's batch will pass out next month after training to lead the armed forces and demonstrate their bravery. Devi Ahilyabai too emphasised building defence capabilities. Our women soldiers made it clear that water and blood will not flow together.
Mission Sindoor became a new example of women's leadership," she said.
The union minister added, "Holkar was ahead of her time. She introduced the adoption of widows and orphans besides giving them rights of inheritance. She was born 300 years ago in a simple family, but she was a visionary and took society ahead," she said.
"Modiji is inspired by her and took several decisions for
women empowerment
, like the abolition of triple talaq to protect the rights and education of Muslim women, training, and skill development programmes for women," the minister said.
Annapurna Devi said Ahilyabai Holkar too believed that a society can only progress when both men and women get the same rights and opportunities, pointing out that budget allocation has been hiked to Rs4.49 lakh crore for women and the girl child. The central govt's pledge of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and good governance is inspired by the legacy of Ahilyabai Holkar, she said. "Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, while managing the politics of Malwa, not only developed pilgrimage sites but also made life easier for the people in her state," Annapurna Devi said.
The one-day conference was jointly organised by the Devi Ahilyabai Memorial Committee-Nagpur, Mythic Society-Bangalore, IIM-Nagpur, Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture-Nagpur, and Maharashtra National Law University-Nagpur to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Holkar. Rashtriya Sevika Samiti's pramukh sanchalika Shantakka and IIM Nagpur's director Bhimaraya Metri were present.
Annapurna Devi said while managing her state, Ahilyabai Holkar developed pilgrimage sites from Kashi to Somnath. "She built roads, rest houses, and ghats. These places are our sites of reverence. Lokmata Ahilya Holkar not only developed religious pilgrimage sites but also improved the standard of living for the people," she said.
The minister also underlined how Holkar's life inspired good governance, Amrit Bharat Stations, Smart City Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 'Mission Shakti', Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and National Education Policy.