**Summary:**
On August 25, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a Defence Sports Academy in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. During the inauguration, the Raksha Mantri emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in national security, highlighting the support provided by people in border areas during Operation Sindoor. He commended the youth's dedication during the operation, which successfully countered a terror attack in Pahalgam. Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of unity and non-discrimination, contrasting the terrorists' actions with the Armed Forces' focus on justice. He advocated for the integration of defence, education, and sports to foster a secure and strong nation, emphasizing the shared qualities of soldiers and athletes. He also encouraged citizens, particularly from Rajasthan, to join the Armed Forces as officers to enhance national security. The event was also attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, among other dignitaries. The Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that this integration of defence, education and sports will make the nation secure and strong.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
Operation Sindoor: A military operation in which people in border areas provided full support to the Armed Forces.
Raksha Mantri: The Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh.
Armed Forces: The military forces of India.
Defence Sports Academy: A sports academy inaugurated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan: City in Rajasthan where Defence Sports Academy was inaugurated.
Pahalgam: Location of a cowardly terror attack during Operation Sindoor.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism who presided over the function.
Ministry of Defence
People in border areas provided full support to the
Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor, says
Raksha Mantri
“National security is the responsibility of every
citizen”
“Amalgamation of defence, education and sports is
crucial to building a secure & strong nation”
Posted On: 25 AUG 2025 2:33PM by PIB Delhi
“People in border areas provided full support to the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor, which is
testament to the fact that the security of the nation is not just the responsibility of the Government or the
military, but of every citizen,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath during the inauguration of a Defence & Sports
Academy in Jodhpur, Rajasthan on August 25, 2025. He emphasised that the country can face any difficulty
and become stronger, if citizens, especially the youth, remain aware & dedicated towards their duties.
Raksha Mantri commended the zeal and determination demonstrated by the youth during Operation Sindoor,
during which the Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply to the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam and
achieved the set goals with precision. Stressing that India does not discriminate on the basis of caste and
religion, he stated that while the terrorists killed innocent people in Pahalgam on the basis of their dharma, the
Indian Armed Forces destroyed those who provided shelter to terrorists based on their karma. He described
the operation as the identity of New India.
Underscoring the importance of initiatives such as the Defence & Sports Academy, Shri Rajnath Singh
asserted that the amalgamation of defence, education and sports is crucial to building a secure & strong
nation. “Education provides knowledge while defence ensures security. Qualities like perseverance,
discipline, patience and determination are as important to a soldier as they are to a sportsperson. Students who
are products of this confluence of defence, education and sports can make the country proud both at national
and international levels,” he said, exhorting the citizens to build a nation which is at the forefront of the world
in knowledge, culture and power.
While Raksha Mantri noted the vital contribution of the state’s soldiers in protecting the country, he pointed
out that the region is not producing officers in the same proportion as jawans. He urged the people to join the
Armed Forces as officers, and contribute in further bolstering national security.
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the function with other
dignitaries present on the occasion.
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VK/Savvy(Release ID: 2160510)