Kargil, Oct 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate the festival of light with soldiers said Diwali means the “festival of end of terror” and that Kargil had made it possible.
Addressing soldiers Prime Minister said, “For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil.” “The forces are the pillar of India’s security. From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of Atank (terror) and Kargil made it possible,” he said.
“In Kargil, our forces crushed terror. I was fortunate enough to be a witness. I was shown my old photos here, and I am grateful for that,” he added.
The Prime Minister has been celebrating the festival with soldiers for several years now.
In 2019, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with soldiers in the Rajouri district along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He had called soldiers as his family and lauded them for guarding the borders even during festivals. He had exchanged Diwali greetings with the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Pathankot Air Force Station.
In 2018, Prime Minister Modi had celebrated Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), at Harsil in Uttarakhand. Following that he had offered prayers at the Kedarnath shrine. In 2017, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival of light with army soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Gurez Valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
In 2016, the PM went to Himachal Pradesh to celebrate the festival with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.
He visited the Punjab border to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in 2015. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi spent Diwali in Siachen with soldiers.
Notably, PM Modi has been visiting soldiers on Diwali, ever since he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. (ANI)
Joins sing-along with soldiers in Kargil on Diwali
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a Kargil visit to celebrate Diwali with soldiers, took part in a special sing-along to the Vande Mataram song on Monday.
In a video, Prime Minister was seen clapping as jawans were singing the Vande Mataram song. The PM was standing in the centre while some of the jawans were tuning guitars and other instruments. PM Modi landed in Kargil on Monday morning to celebrate Diwali with jawans.
The Prime Minister has been celebrating the festival with soldiers for several years now. He distributed sweets among the Army soldiers. He also laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial and paid tribute to the army personnel who lost their lives here in 1999.
Addressing soldiers, the Prime Minister said, “For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil.”
“The forces are the pillar of India’s security. From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of Atank (terror) and Kargil made it possible,” he said.
“In Kargil, our forces crushed terror. I was fortunate enough to be a witness. I was shown my old photos here, and I am grateful for that,” he added.
The PM said the armed forces are the pillar of the country’s safety and security. “A nation is safe when the border is secure, the economy is strong and the society is full of confidence. India wishes this festival of lights paves way for global peace,” he said.
Highlighting the reforms in armed forces by the Centre, Prime Minister said the induction of women officers will boost the country’s strength.
“For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil,” Prime Minister Modi said.
“Over the last eight years, we have laid emphasis on implementing reforms in the armed forces. We have opened positions in the forces for women. Women’s power will strengthen our armed forces. The induction of women officers under ‘permanent commission’ will result in the growth of our power,” he said.
PM said it is because the armed forces are protecting borders that every citizen in India sleeps peacefully.
“From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. Diwali means ‘festival of end of terror’ and Kargil made it possible. Our Army in Kargil crushed the fountainhead of terror and people till date remember the Diwali of victory the country celebrated,” Prime Minister said.
He said while the jawans are protecting the borders, every citizen in the country is working towards strengthening the nation.
“Just like all of you are protecting us at the borders, we are working within the country to fight evils like terrorism, Naxalism, corruption. ‘Naxalwad’ had taken a large part of the nation in its grasp, but today that stretch is rapidly decreasing,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi said when India’s strength rises, it is beneficial for global peace and prosperity. (ANI)
