Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently performed a ceremonial worship of modern weaponry, bowing before and offering reverence to a state-of-the-art machine gun during a traditional Ayudha Puja (worship of weapons) inside the Border Roads Organization (BRO) armory in West Bengal. The visuals, which show the minister paying homage to the weapon, symbolize India’s defense posture and readiness. Singh’s gesture serves as a warning to adversaries—India stands strong with its advanced military arsenal, including weapons, nuclear bombs, and modern aircraft.
Singh’s actions reflect the nation’s reliance on its military strength to safeguard its sovereignty. Without weapons, he emphasized, India would become history, vulnerable to threats from China, Islamic extremist organizations, and other adversaries. Such groups could potentially take control and bring about the kind of religious and political transformations seen in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey. Thus, weapons are crucial in maintaining India’s unity in diversity, a sentiment clearly demonstrated in Singh’s ceremonial reverence for the arms.
These images from the BRO’s armory are a source of pride for any Indian, symbolizing national defense and resilience. Singh was inaugurating 75 infrastructure development projects undertaken by the Border Roads Organization at a cost of ₹2,236 crore. Speaking at the event, Singh reiterated that India has never attacked any country out of hatred or disdain. “We only go to war when our sovereignty or integrity is threatened, or when human values, religion, and truth are under attack. India will take up arms to defend peace and defeat enemies, stopping only once peace is restored,” Singh said during the Shastra Puja (weapon worship) held at Sukna military station in West Bengal on the occasion of Dussehra.
“This is our heritage, and we will continue to protect it,” he added, emphasizing that India would not hesitate to take decisive action if its interests are threatened. The Shastra Puja also sends a clear signal that the country is ready to use its full military might, including weapons and equipment, if necessary.
The projects inaugurated include 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two other significant developments across Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Bengal, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Singh highlighted the completion of 111 such projects by the BRO this year, at a total cost of ₹3,751 crore.
Among the key projects opened was the strategic Kupup-Sherathang road in Sikkim, which serves as a critical link between Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Suluk Achuthang. This route provides an alternative path for the movement of army personnel and equipment to forward areas.
Singh noted that the projects are not only aimed at strengthening border infrastructure but also at ensuring the socio-economic progress of these regions, particularly in the northeastern states. Referring to the allocation of ₹6,500 crore for the BRO in the 2024-25 budget, Singh stated that the Modi government is focused on expediting the enhancement of border infrastructure during its third term. He expressed confidence that India will emerge as one of the most secure and powerful nations in the coming years.
