The Ministry of Defence has rolled out a nationwide essay writing and reel-making contest themed on Operation Sindoor. The entries for the competition opened today (June 1) and will continue till June 30. The top three winners will receive Rs 10,000 each but also get an invitation (plus 1) to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi.

Participants can pen essays in Hindi or English, focusing on topics such as national security, unity in diversity, youth responsibility and India’s cultural and strategic strength. Entries should be between 500–600 words, the government stated.

For the reels competition, contestants need to create a short video or reel (45–60 seconds) showcasing a monument or heritage site associated with India’s freedom struggle, adding a personal touch by featuring their own or others’ contributions to national pride. “These reels should be shared on social media using the hashtags #NewIndia #EmpoweredIndia #IndependenceDay2025 for making it a viral trend,” the govt said.

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The competition is inspired by Operation Sindoor, India’s military strike launched at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan on May 6–7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. In a powerful address on May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a “new red line” in India’s fight against terror, vowing equal treatment for terrorists and their state sponsors.

The operation triggered a wave of cross-border hostilities that lasted till May 10, with India responding to drone attacks and shelling by targeting Pakistani airbases, including one near Islamabad. To rally international backing after the military operation, India has dispatched seven diplomatic delegations, three led by opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, to build global consensus against terror.