Citizens Should Remain Aware and Alert and Become the Ears and Eyes of National Security – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Concluding the ‘Global Peace Honor’ programme that delivered a message of bravery, peace, and alertness

National Investigation Agency (NIA) Chief Dr. Sadanand Date and Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani honoured with the Global Peace Honor

Mumbai, Nov 2025 – The war against terrorism has not ended. To fight this terrorism, every citizen must remain aware and alert. They should act as the ears and eyes of security, appealed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He was speaking at the Global Peace Honor programme organised by the Divija Foundation. On this occasion, NIA Chief Dr. Sadanand Date, NSG Commando Sunil Jodha, and Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani were honoured with the Global Peace Honor.

Although 17 years have passed since the heart-wrenching 26/11 incident, the pain of that day still remains in the hearts of all of us, said Chief Minister Fadnavis. He added that this programme is important to pay homage to the martyrs of this attack that created an atmosphere of fear in Mumbai and across the country, and to keep the memories of the martyrs alive. By killing innocent citizens in Pahalgam, terrorist organisations are attempting to create instability in the country. Such incidents clearly show that the threat of terrorism still exists, and therefore it is extremely necessary for every citizen to stay alert, said Fadnavis.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the 26/11 attack was not limited to the Taj or Mumbai. Just as the attack on the Twin Towers in America was an attack on America’s sovereignty, similarly the 26/11 attack was a major blow to the sovereignty of the entire nation of India. If solid retaliation had been given at that time, perhaps such an attack would not have happened again. But now the situation has changed and India stands before the world as a strong, capable and decisive country. After the Pahalgam attack, through ‘Operation Sindoor’, India demonstrated its capability to the world by taking action on terrorist bases in Pakistan. India is a country that takes decisive action. Today the nation’s security machinery has become extremely strong. Before the Delhi bomb blast, security agencies seized large quantities of explosives and weapons and foiled a major conspiracy.

Terrorists cannot fight an open war, so a hidden war is ongoing. In such circumstances, every citizen in the country must remain constantly aware. On this day, I offer humble tributes to all the bravehearts including Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, Tukaram Ombale, Major Unnikrishnan, and Prakash More.

“Mumbai’s spirit is resilient; it does not stop, it does not break” – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said that in the 26/11 attack, Mumbai’s culture, its spirit, and its identity were targeted. But Mumbai did not stop and did not break. We gave a strong response to this attack. The reply India gave to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack is a sign of the country’s changed strength.

Honouring the work of Sadanand Date and Nita Ambani, he said, “The country is proud of such individuals.”

In the programme, senior police officer and NIA Chief Dr. Sadanand Date, who displayed unparalleled bravery in the 26/11 attack, was specially felicitated. Even though he was seriously injured in the grenade attack at Cama Hospital, he did not retreat and confronted the terrorists, neutralising them.

Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani, who works as a messenger of peace and creates positivity in society, was honoured by Chief Minister Fadnavis.
NSG Commando Sunil Jodha, who displayed exceptional courage during 26/11 and is known as a “living martyr”, was also honoured. Jodha had taken 20 bullets during the attack, one of which still remains lodged in his body.

Relatives of citizens who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack, as well as families of the martyrs of 26/11, were also honoured during the event.

The programme was attended by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Minister for Skill Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar, Mukesh Ambani, along with Bollywood artistes and dignitaries.