Twinkle Khanna says sister Rinke Khanna felt safer staying close to PM Modi’s home during Operation Sindoor

In her latest column for The Times of India, author and former Bollywood actor Twinkle Khanna shared a personal and humorous anecdote about her younger sister, Rinke Khanna, during a period of heightened national tension due to Operation Sindoor. The military operation, conducted on May 6 and 7, 2025, was India’s response to a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, including nine women and three children. In retaliation, the Indian Army targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Twinkle opened her piece by describing her increasing worry for her sister, who lives in New Delhi. As military operations intensified and the threat of escalation loomed, Twinkle tried to convince Rinke to temporarily relocate to Mumbai. She explained her own elaborate preparedness plan, noting that her building had a large basement, and she had stocked up on dry rations sufficient for two months. She even mentioned two heavy Godrej cupboards that could serve as makeshift shields and joked about using a large stainless steel paneer maker for protection.

Despite Twinkle's elaborate (and partially tongue-in-cheek) plans and even a bribe involving Alphonso mangoes, Rinke declined to leave Delhi. Her reason? She felt safer being near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The security presence in the area, she believed, made it one of the safest places to be during such a high-stress period.

Twinkle shared this story not just to highlight her sister’s unusual sense of logic but also to reflect on the emotional impact Operation Sindoor had on ordinary citizens. She discussed the emotional toll of living through such events—where the looming fear of war and cross-border violence can make even the most rational people take extreme or comedic measures.

Her anecdote touched on the deeper theme of how Indians—regardless of their background—respond to moments of national crisis. Some, like Twinkle, prepare extensively; others, like Rinke, take comfort in proximity to centers of power. Either way, both sisters reveal the kind of personal adjustments and reflections people go through when geopolitical events hit close to home.

Operation Sindoor itself received praise from various sectors, including political bodies. The Uttar Pradesh cabinet passed a resolution lauding Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Army for the success of the mission. The operation was seen as a strong and swift response to terrorism, reinforcing India’s stance on national security.

Twinkle’s story ends on a humorous note, suggesting that while one may prepare bunkers and hoard rations, sometimes reassurance can come from unlikely sources—like simply living near the Prime Minister. Through humor and honesty, her piece resonates with the fears, quirks, and resilience of everyday Indians in turbulent times.