IIT Guwahati Marks Operation Sindoor Anniversary with Special Talk

On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, IIT Guwahati hosted a talk by Brig GS Grewal about warfare, strategy, and, narrative in modern conflicts

Published 29 May 2026 | Category Community & Outreach | Office Outreach Education & Skilling

On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, IIT Guwahati hosted Brigadier Gurtej Singh Grewal, Shaurya Chakra, Commander of the 21 Mountain Artillery Brigade, for a talk that covered the operation's execution and a broader reality of contemporary conflict: that wars today are no longer fought only on the frontlines.

The programme opened with a welcome address by Prof. Anil K. Saikia, Associate Dean of Administration, highlighting the significance of such engagements in fostering awareness and appreciation of the armed forces among the academic community.

Brigadier Grewal's address covered the origins of Operation Sindoor and how its objectives were defined and met. He also mentioned that the ceasefire came after those objectives had been met — a point he made clearly to an audience that included students, faculty, and NCC cadets from North Guwahati College and students from Sankardev Sishu Niketan.

The talk ranged well beyond the specifics of the operation. Brigadier Grewal spoke of modern warfare as a whole-of-nation undertaking. Pointing to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, he pointed to how wars are now shaped as much by narrative, technological independence and economic strength as by boots on the ground. Every piece of content shared online, he noted, is part of an information environment that adversaries actively seek to shape. Citizens, whether they recognise it or not, are participants in that environment.

The implications for an academic audience were not lost. Technological capability and self-reliance, Brigadier Grewal underlined, are not abstract national goals. They are direct determinants of security.

An interactive session followed, where attendees asked questions about the operation and military life more broadly.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Dilip Boro, Officer-in-Charge of IIT Guwahati's Diversity & Equality Cell.