In this image via PMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a sapling at his residence on World Environment Day, in New Delhi on June 5, 2025. Photo: PMO via PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a ‘sindoor’ sapling, presented to him by a group of women who had ​shown remarkable courage during the 1971 war, at his residence on World Environment Day on Thursday (June 5, 2025).

The gesture is also being seen as a nod to the recent Operation Sindoor.

World Environment Day 2025: In pictures

Activists participate in a demonstration marking World Environment Day to call for community-built renewable energy structures, outside the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik creates a 30-ft long fish-shaped sand sculpture with plastic bottles and other plastic materials on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Dancers wear costumes made with plastic waste as they perform at an event to mark Cambodia’s Environment Day and the United Nations’ World Environment Day at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on June 5, 2025.

Volunteers participate in a beach cleanup drive on the Arabian Sea coast at Mahim Beach on World Environment Day, in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a sapling at his residence on World Environment Day, in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off electric buses under the Delhi Government’s sustainable transport initiative, on the World Environment Day, in New Delhi.

Stark reality: A man unloads plastic and waste material at a garbage site beside a temple on World Environment Day, in Chennai.

Judges, advocates and judicial employees plant saplings at the District Court premises on World Environment Day in Sangareddy, Telangana.

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This plant will remain a strong symbol of the valour and inspiration of women of the country, PM Modi said on X.

He said during his recent visit to Kutch, a group of women who had ​shown remarkable courage during the 1971 war met and presented him with the saplings during his recent tour of Gujarat.

T​ouched by their gesture, the ​Prime ​Minister promised that he would plant the sapling at his ​7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence.

​The choice of sapling holds significance​ as India ​had named its military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as Operation Sindoor to convey its commitment to avenge the targeted killings of men by terrorists, who did a religious profile of their victims.

​​Sindoor (vermilion) is traditionally applied by married Hindu women, signifying the religious and cultural bond attached to marital life in the Indian tradition.

In a video message posted on X, Mr. Modi said every country will have to rise above self-interest for the protection of the global climate.

He said ending plastic pollution is the theme of this year’s World Environment Day and that India has been working on this continuously for the last four to five years.

Mr. Modi said Mission LiFE, which advocates mindful use of resources and adoption of sustainable lifestyles, is becoming a public movement across the globe. Lakhs of people have adopted the mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle in their daily lives, he said.

BEE appreciates A.P. for its support to Mission LiFE 

In a post on X, PM Modi urged people to deepen their efforts towards protecting the planet and overcoming environmental challenges.

“I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better,” he said.