Defense Minister Rajnath Singh practiced yoga with army personnel in Udhampur on International Yoga Day, sharing heartfelt reflections on national security, unity, and the role of soldiers.
New Delhi: On International Yoga Day 2025, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a passionate and visionary message. He emphasized not just physical yoga, but the need for "yoga at the level of thought and society." While practicing yoga with soldiers in Udhampur, he mentioned Operation Sindur, issuing a clear warning to Pakistan and highlighting India's social unity as its greatest shield against terrorism.
Operation Sindur's Message: A Decisive Response to Terrorism
Rajnath Singh stated that Operation Sindur was not merely a military operation, but a response to threats against India's unity and integrity. He clarified that this operation was a continuation of the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 air strikes, aimed not only at retaliating against terrorist attacks but also at conveying to Pakistan that India would no longer remain silent at any cost.
He said, Pakistan did not just carry out a terrorist incident; it also targeted India's social and communal harmony. Through Operation Sindur, we made it clear that harming India will now prove extremely costly.
Tribute to the Bravehearts
In his speech, the Defense Minister remembered India's brave sons like Major Somnath Sharma and Brigadier Usman. He said that Pakistan repeatedly tries to break India from within, but it should remember that no one can shake India's soul. The land of Naushera, where Brigadier Usman made the supreme sacrifice, still reminds us that India's unity is not the contribution of any single community or caste, but of every hero who sacrificed for this country.
Explaining the broader meaning of yoga, Rajnath Singh said that yoga doesn't just mean physical flexibility; its true meaning is to connect. Connecting every section of society with India's culture and consciousness is true yoga. If even one section is left behind, the cycle of our unity can be broken. He said that today should not only be about physical exercise, but we should also strive to bring uniformity in thoughts and harmony in society. This is true yoga, which not only makes India internally b but also enhances its identity on the global stage.
Praise for Soldiers' Yoga Practice
Rajnath Singh appreciated the growing trend of yoga in the army. He said that he himself has had the privilege of spending time with the army several times and has seen how soldiers have made yoga a part of their routine. Yoga makes soldiers mentally stable and physically flexible. Even in stressful situations like war, it helps in maintaining discipline and focus. This spread of yoga within the army today further strengthens our strategic power.
