Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Nov 12: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Deepavali with soldiers in Himachal Pradesh’s Lepcha and hailed the unwavering courage of the security forces.
Mr Modi who arrived at Lepcha in the morning, shared photographs of his interactions with the soldiers in which he is seen offering sweets to them. In his post on X, Modi said, “Spending Diwali with our brave security forces in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh has been an experience filled with deep emotion and pride.”
“Away from their families, these guardians of our nation illuminate our lives with their dedication,” he said. “The courage of our security forces is unwavering. Stationed in the toughest terrains, away from their loved ones, their sacrifice and dedication keep us safe and secure,” the Prime Minister added. “India will always be grateful to these heroes who are the perfect embodiment of bravery and resilience,” Mr Modi said.
Every year, Mr Modi visits a security installation to celebrate the festival of lights with the men in uniform. The photos show him dressed in military fatigues and interacting with security personnel. During these visits, he interacts with the men in uniform. Last year, he was seen cheering on as security personnel sang during a musical event to mark his visit.
Addressing a gathering of soldiers at Lepcha, Prime Minister Modi said he has spent every Diwali with security personnel at the borders. “My festival is where you are,” he said. “Even when I not a PM or a CM, I would visit soldiers at some or the other border post every Diwali,” he added.
At every Puja across the country, the Prime Minister said, a prayer is said for the soldiers guarding our borders. At every home, one diya is lit for the soldiers, he said. He said security posts where soldiers are deployed are no less than temples.
Ever since occupying the top office, Prime Minister Modi has spent Diwali with security forces deployed on the borders. In 2014, the year the BJP came to power, the Prime Minister visited Siachen glacier on Diwali. In 2015, he was at the border in Punjab. The next year, he was near the China border in Himachal Pradesh. In 2017, he was in Kashmir’s Gurez sector. The Prime Minister was at Harsil in Uttarakhand for the 2018 Diwali. The next year he was at Rajouri near Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister visited Longewala in Jaisalmer for the 2020 Diwali and Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir the year after that. Last year, he was at Kargil for Diwali.
India is fast emerging as a “big global player” in the defence sector and the capabilities of its security forces are constantly rising, PM Modi said and added the circumstances of the world were such that the expectations from India were constantly rising. “At such an important time, it is necessary that India’s borders are protected and there is an environment of peace in the country and you have a big role in this,” Mr Modi, dressed in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) fatigues, said.
“India is protected till the time my bravehearts are standing on the borders like the Himalayas,” the Prime Minister said. “After Independence, these bravehearts [Army personnel] fought so many wars and won the country’s heart… Our jawans have snatched victory in the face of challenges,” he said.
“It is said that ‘parv’ is where the ‘parivaar’ is. On festivals, being away from the family and deployed on the borders exemplifies the commitment to duty… The country is indebted to you,” Mr Modi told the soldiers. “Therefore, on Deepavali, one ‘diya’ is for your safety, and in every prayer, people wish for your safety,” the Prime Minister said.
India’s soldiers have always walked ahead, risking their lives and have always proven that they are the “strongest wall” at the borders, he added.
“For me, a place where our security forces are deployed is no less than a temple,” Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister also hailed the role played by the armed forces in evacuations in earthquake-hit areas and during other calamities.
“When we had to pull out people from Sudan, India’s bravehearts completed the mission with courage… When there was an earthquake in Turkiye, they risked lives to save people,” Mr Modi said. Wherever Indians are in danger, security forces are always committed to ensuring their safety, he asserted. “We are proud of our forces and soldiers,” Mr Modi added.
Earlier in the day, he greeted people on Deepavali and wished them joy, prosperity and health. “Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this special festival bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone’s lives,” Mr Modi said.
