KKN Gurugram Desk | On his visit to Bhuj, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed with honor and emotion by a group of elderly women remembered for their bravery during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. These women, residents of Madhapar village, were the same who had played a pivotal role in rebuilding a bombed Indian Air Force runway within just 72 hours, enabling India’s counterattack during the war.

The women presented PM Modi with a Sindoor plant — a deeply symbolic gesture representing courage, tradition, and sacrifice. The Prime Minister acknowledged their contribution and announced that he would plant the gifted sapling at his official residence in Delhi.

 The Gesture: Gifting a Sindoor Plant to the Prime Minister

The symbolic gift of the Sindoor (vermilion) plant was presented to PM Modi by the war heroines in a gesture of respect, tradition, and remembrance. In Indian culture, Sindoor holds sacred importance, especially among married women, and by presenting a living plant, these women honored both the nation and its leadership.

Prime Minister Modi, visibly moved by the tribute, told the women:

“I will plant this at the Prime Minister’s residence. Let it grow strong like the spirit of our mothers of Madhapar.”

 The War Heroines: Faces of National Courage

Among the women who met PM Modi were Kanbai Hirani (80), Shambai Khokhani (83), Lalbai Bhuriya (82), and Samu Bhanderi (75). They shared stories of their experiences from the 1971 war during an interview with a national media outlet.

They recalled how they, along with 300 women from Madhapar village, rebuilt the Indian Air Force runway in Bhuj that was severely bombed by Pakistani forces. The official estimate had suggested it would take 4–6 months to restore, but these women completed it in under 72 hours.

1971: When Civilian Women Rebuilt a War Zone

The story dates back to the Indo-Pak War of 1971, where Bhuj’s IAF airbase was targeted in a series of airstrikes by Pakistan. More than 20 bombs were dropped, rendering the runway unusable.

In a rare moment of military-civilian collaboration, IAF officials reached out to locals. Initially, about 30 women volunteered to repair the runway, but the number grew exponentially over the next two days to over 300.

These women worked under extreme pressure, following a strict alarm system:

• One siren meant “take shelter in bunkers”

• Second siren meant “resume work”

They risked their lives in a war zone, worked with shovels, baskets, and bare hands, and restored the airstrip, enabling the IAF to launch counter-strikes from the same site. Their work contributed directly to India’s success in the war.

 National Recognition and a Room in the Panchayat Bhavan

In appreciation of their service, the women of Madhapar were awarded ₹50,000 by the government — a significant amount at the time. Instead of keeping the money for themselves, they used it to construct a room in their Panchayat Bhavan, serving as a community hall and a permanent reminder of their service.

This act of collective humility and patriotism stands out as a shining example of how ordinary citizens can make extraordinary contributions to national defense.

 PM Modi’s Bhuj Visit: From Road Show to Historical Remembrance

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhuj included a roadshow and public address as part of his post-Operation Sindoor outreach. The emotional highlight, however, was his meeting with the 1971 heroines, which he described as “a moment of honor and inspiration.”

“The soil of Bhuj has seen not just battles, but the resolve of our women who turned their hands into tools of war,” Modi said in his address.

 Operation Sindoor and the Legacy of 1971

PM Modi’s Gujarat visit followed the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a modern-day military response against terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. Drawing this connection between the 1971 victory and present-day military operations, the PM emphasized how India’s strength lies in its people, whether uniformed soldiers or civilians with unmatched courage.

The women’s role in 1971 now serves as a symbolic inspiration for a new generation of patriots.

 What the War Heroines Said

“We were told that if the siren goes off, run to the bunker. And we followed that. We knew we were repairing a warzone runway, but we didn’t stop.”

“No one forced us. We came to help our soldiers. By the third day, our numbers had swelled from 30 to 300.”

“That ₹50,000 wasn’t for us. We used it to build something lasting — a room for all.”

Their words echoed duty without demand, service without self, and a kind of national commitment that transcends generations.

In honoring the women of Madhapar, PM Modi has brought national attention back to one of the most inspiring civilian contributions in Indian military history. The gesture of gifting a Sindoor plant — symbolic, spiritual, and rooted — has now become a living legacy, soon to be planted at the heart of India’s democracy: the Prime Minister’s residence.