Following his tradition of celebrating Diwali with the armed forces every year, the Prime Minister spent this Diwali with the forces in Kargil, as he has done in the past.
Prime Minister lauded the soldiers stationed at Kargil, telling them that the base remains a victory banner. In his interaction with Armed Forces members, he said that Kargil has never failed to hoist the flag of victory in any conflict with Pakistan.
In his address to the jawans, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the armed forces for their bravery. Modi said he was always drawn to the brave sons and daughters of the armed forces because of his reverence for the land of Kargil.
I see all of you as my family. You have been a part of my family for years now. I am blessed to celebrate Diwali among all of you,” said the Prime Minister.
Diwali becomes sweeter when he is with jawans, and the light of Diwali that he witnesses among them emboldens his spirit, added the Prime Minister.
On one side we have the nation’s sovereign borders, and a committed soldier stands on the other. On one side we have the love of the motherland, and on the other, there are braveheart jawans. Diwali of such magnitude could not have been expected anywhere else. Our traditions and cultures embrace these sagas of courage and bravery with glee, said Modi.
“From the victorious lands of Kargil, I wish everyone in India and around the world a very happy Diwali,” the Prime Minister said.
PM said a nation is safe when its borders are secured, its economy is strong, and its society is full of confidence. Modi commented that the nature of future wars would change because of technological advances in modern warfare. India is preparing its military strength per the new challenges, new methods, and changing national defense needs of the new era.
Assuring that all possible steps are being taken to improve the coordination of our forces to respond quickly to a wide range of challenges, the Prime Minister spoke of the need for significant reforms in the Army that have been felt for decades.
The CDS institute was created for this purpose. A network of modern infrastructure is being built along the border. Several Sainik schools are being opened throughout the country, he added.
Prime Minister expressed the hope that this festival of lights illuminates the path of peace and prosperity in the present geopolitical landscape. He stated that Diwali signifies “the end of terror,” and Kargil made that possible.
A throwback to PM’s Diwali celebrations since 2014
Prime Minister Modi has visited many military installations since he took office in 2014. Prime Minister Modi celebrates the festival of lights with soldiers guarding the border.
In 2014, Modi celebrated the day in Siachin. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi visited three memorials in Punjab to mark the 50th anniversary of the Indian Army’s victory over the Pakistani Army in the war of 1965.
In 2016, PM Modi visited Himachal Pradesh to meet with soldiers near the China border.
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At Sumdoh in 2017, he spoke with members of the Dogra Scouts, the Army, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). During his visit to the Gurez region in North Kashmir in 2017 to celebrate the festival of lights, he claimed that this trip gave him a new burst of energy.
Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Harsil in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with troops in 2018. He then visited Kedarnath Dham.
In 2019, PM Modi visited Rajouri in J&K to celebrate Diwali with Jawans. He visited the border crossing at Longewala in 2020.
In 2021, Modi observed Diwali in Nowshera, Jammu, and Kashmir. At that time, PM Modi tweeted, “I feel privileged to have spent Diwali with our brave soldiers, not as Prime Minister, but as a member of their family.”
