What is 'Sindoor Van' to honor the armed forces in Gujarat?

Bhuj, June 4 (NationPress) In a heartfelt homage to the Indian Armed Forces and the significant 'Operation Sindoor', the government of Gujarat has unveiled plans for a themed forest named Sindoor Van on the outskirts of Bhuj.

This ambitious project will occupy 20 acres of land managed by the forest department, situated near Mirzapur along the Bhuj-Mandvi highway, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a public address.

Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national, the Indian Armed Forces initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7. This precise military operation focused on nine significant terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur.

Every detail of the operation was carefully orchestrated to minimize civilian casualties and prevent destruction to non-military facilities.

During the project announcement, Kutch District Collector Anand Patel stated, “Sindoor Van will feature 35 varieties of indigenous plants, including the iconic Sindoor tree, and will be crafted as a thematic tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of India’s armed forces.”

The initiative intends to serve as a living memorial to the resilience and patriotism exhibited during Operation Sindoor while honoring the contributions of Kutch locals, especially those from Madhapar, who were instrumental in restoring the Bhuj airbase during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. On December 8, 1971, the Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip in Bhuj was targeted by Pakistani aircraft. The runway suffered damage in eight locations, rendering it inoperable. In this critical moment, 300 brave women from Madhapar, located 5 kilometers from Bhuj, stepped up. Remarkably, they rebuilt the airfield within just 72 hours, enabling IAF fighter jets to launch counterattacks that surprised the Pakistani forces.

These courageous individuals were honored at a recent event, where they presented Sindoor saplings to the Prime Minister. In a significant gesture, PM Modi remarked that the Sindoor plant would be cultivated at the Prime Minister’s residence, eventually growing into a majestic banyan tree.

Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Sandeep Kumar emphasized, “Wherever a border outpost (BOP) is positioned facing our defense lines, we will plant Sindoor trees as a tribute to our soldiers. This forest will serve as a permanent salute to their dedication.”