PM: Pahalgam attack an onslaught on India's unity, Op Sindoor was befitting reply
Gangtok May 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor was a befitting reply to those who unleashed terror in India and challenged the country's unity and integrity.
Modi was addressing virtually to mark Sikkim Statehood Day after his scheduled Gangtok visit was cancelled owing to worsening weather condition for flying helicopter.
The PM said Operation Sindoor was a befitting reply to those who unleashed terror in India.
He said the Pahalgam terror attack was an onslaught on India's unity as the terrorists gunned down 25 vacationers and a local at J&K's Pahalgam on April 22.
He said the landlocked Sikkim's increasing organic exports were a big achievement for the state and for this, the connectivity was the main focus of the Centre to make it a success.
He said the Sevoke-Rangpo project linking Sikkim with the nearest railway link in Siliguri would pave the way for huge development.
Modi said Sikkim's rich biodiversity has set examples in nature conservation for the nation.
The PM said the NDA government has dedicated itself to making India a sports superpower and "we want Northeast to move in this direction", referring to the outstanding improvement in sports and games which hugely contributed to the country winning laurels at the global sporting events.
The PM, for his inability to remain physically to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sikkim's statehood, said he wanted to be a part of this celebration with the Sikkimese people, who gathered in thousands in Palzor Stadium to listen to him.
"I left Delhi early in the morning and reached Bagdogra, but the weather prevented me from going further," Modi said virtually from Bagdogra airport.
"I apologise to all of you," Modi reiterated on his inability to be physically present in Sikkim.
" But as the Chief Minister has invited me, I assure you that whenever the state government decides, I will come to Sikkim and attend the celebrations of Sikkim completing 50 years of statehood," Modi said as the people thunderously applauded of his assurance.
During the NITI Aayog Governing Council's meeting in Delhi, Modi said that every state should develop such tourist destinations that can establish themselves internationally.
"The time has come for Sikkim to become a global tourist destination as Sikkim has a vast potential for adventure and sports tourism," he said.
"Our dream is to make Sikkim a hub of conferences, wellness, and concert tourism. I want the world's biggest artists to perform in the valleys of Gangtok. We conducted G20 meetings in Sikkim so the world could understand the state's potential. I am glad that the NDA government in Sikkim is making this vision a reality," PM Modi said.
"Today, I want to show appreciation to the farmers of Sikkim with an open heart. Sikkim is at the forefront of the new trend of agriculture towards which the country is moving today," he said. To promote Sikkim's organic basket, the Centre was constructing the country's first Organic Fishery Cluster in the state, he said. This will generate new opportunities for the youth of Sikkim, the PM said.
Welcoming the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sikkim's statehood will continue for a year. He requested the PM to attend these celebrations "at least once; we will be very grateful."
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