Hyderabad:Women felt a bit relieved when news spread in the early hours on Wednesday that Indian missiles pounded terrorist bases in Pakistan to avenge the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam over a fortnight ago. They were delighted to note that the operation was aptly code-named Sindoor, as many women had lost their sindoor, a sign of marital bliss, in the barbaric act by terrorists in Pahalgam.

Sreejaswi Thuraka, researcher in international politics, noted, “This has sent a powerful message to the wider world that India will not remain silent to acts of terror and will take strong measures to protect its people.”

“Dismantling terror hideouts with precision strikes not only sent a strong deterrent message but also reflected India’s evolving counter-terror doctrine to the world,” Sreejaswi said.

She added, “However, for the women who witnessed the cold-blooded murder of their husbands before their eyes on April 22, no number of strikes or arrests can erase their pain. Op Sindoor serves as a call for long-term security reform. India must move from reactive strikes to adoption of a proactive strategy.”

Kunchala Jerusha, a software professional from Kadapa and working in Hyderabad, says the strikes showed that “we are fearless and will not be cowed down by a nuclear threat. It also shows our military capability and planning.”

“Asking two women officers to provide press briefing was befitting, given the context and name of the Op Sindoor. It’s an indirect message to the terrorists and Pakistan … our women are good enough for you,” added Jerusha.

G. Damayanti, a government employee, says she feels relieved. “We have to demolish not only the homes of terrorists but also of those supporting them. Punish them severely. We have lost many of our dear ones over the past several decades,” she sighed.

Vinod Rao Banja, the brother of 26/11 terror victim Vijay Rao Banja, says Op Sindoor terrorism has caused unforgettable loss to many peace-loving people for no fault of theirs.

Emanuel Nixon, a businessman from Chennai, says India should seek and get more support from the nations across the world in its fight against terror.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said “India’s space journey is not about racing others, it is about reaching higher together. Together, we share a common goal to explore space for the good of humanity”.Addressing the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX 2025) via a video message, Modi urged for collective growth via space exploration. “India’s space vision is grounded in the ancient wisdom of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, that is, the world is one family. We strive not just for our own growth, but to enrich global knowledge, address common challenges, and inspire future generations,” he said.Modi said India is marching ahead with renewed confidence in the field of space exploration and its astronauts’ footprints will be on the Moon. “By 2035, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station will open new frontiers in research and global cooperation. By 2040, an India’s footprints will be on the Moon. Mars and Venus are also on our radar,” he said.“Our first human space-flight mission, ‘Gaganyaan’, highlights our nation’s rising aspirations,” Modi said referring to the mission planned for early 2027 launch. He said in the coming weeks, an Indian astronaut will travel to space as part of a joint Isro-Nasa mission to the International Space Station. The Axiom-4 mission is slated for launch in the first week of June and Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others will undertake a 14-day sojourn to the orbital laboratory.He recalled that India’s space journey started with the launch of a small rocket in 1963 and became the first nation to land near the South Pole of the Moon. “Our journey has been remarkable. Our rockets carry more than payloads.They carry the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. India’s achievements are significant scientific milestones. Beyond that, they are proof that the human spirit can defy gravity,” Modi said.Calling India’s space journey “remarkable”, he said, it reflects a “declaration of curiosity, courage, and collective progress” rather than just a “destination”.PM Modi listed space achievements like the successful Mars Mission Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, the launch of cryogenic engines, and satellite docking, calling them “significant scientific milestones”. “We continue to march ahead with renewed confidence, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration,” he said.“We built cryogenic engines in a record time. We launched 100 satellites in a single mission. We have launched over 400 satellites for 34 nations on our launch vehicles. This year, we docked two satellites in space, a major step forward,” PM Modi said.