PM Modi Continues Tradition Of Celebrating Diwali With Armed Forces, Recalls Longewala Battle
Continuing his practice of spending Diwali with the Indian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed troops at Longewala Post in Rajasthan.
Continuing his practice of spending Diwali with the Indian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed troops at Longewala Post in Rajasthan.
Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief M.M. Naravane and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Rakesh Asthana also accompanied the Prime Minister to Jaisalmer where he also interacted with the troops.
ANI
"I would like to extend my Diwali greetings. I am here to convey ever India's greetings to you today. I would like to wish all our security forces on the occasion of Diwali. No power in the world can stop our brave soldiers from guarding the borders of our country. This country is happy and we are celebrating festivals because of your existence," said PM Modi.
"You may be at the snow-capped mountains or in deserts, my Diwali is complete only when I am with you all. My happiness doubles when I look at the joy on your faces. I have brought the greetings of every Indian among you today, have brought the love and blessings for you," he added.
#WATCH | Rajasthan: PM Narendra Modi and members of Indian Armed Forces chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' at Longewala in Jaisalmer.
¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2020
The Prime Minister is in Longewala to celebrate #Diwali with security forces. pic.twitter.com/gkWfvIxjQw
"Be it the peaks of the Himalayas, the stretch of desert, dense forests or the depths of seas - your valour has always triumphed in every challenge. Whenever history on the excellence of soldiers will be written and read, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered," he added.
He recalled the fierce fight the post had witnessed in the 1971 war against Pakistan and paid tributes to Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, a hero of the battle, saying he became "rashtra deep" with his feat of bravery.
#WATCH: Whenever history on the excellence of soldiers will be written and read, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered: PM Narendra Modi in Jaisalmer, #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/d6KSUw7bzZ
¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2020
"Saluting your valour, 130 crore countrymen of India are standing firm with you today. Today every Indian is proud of the strength and bravery of his soldiers. They are proud of your invincibility," said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister further stated the history of the world always narrated that those nations have prospered which had the ability of fight its invaders.
In a clear swipe at China, Modi said without naming it that entire world feels troubled by "expansionist" forces and expansionism shows a "distorted mindset" which belongs to 18th century.
"India believes in policy of understanding others and making them understand but if an attempt to test it is made, then the country will give a fierce reply," he asserted.
If anyone casts an evil eye on us, our soldiers reply to them befittingly. This establishes the credibility of Indian Army in the world. Today, country's Army is engaged in military exercises with other big countries: PM Narendra Modi in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/k1TLaf6XJh
¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2020
His unambiguous message came amid continuing standoff with China at Ladakh border.
#WATCH: Today, country's Army is engaged in military exercises with other big countries. We are engaged in strategic partnerships to fight against terrorism: PM Narendra Modi in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/SqjAI4OD81
¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2020
No force in the world can prevent our soldiers from protecting our borders, he said, adding that India has shown that it has strength and the political will to give a befitting reply to those challenging it.
"The world now knows that India will not compromise with its interests even one bit," he said.
Referring to his custom of celebrating Diwali with soldiers since he assumed office in 2014, Modi said his resolve to serve and protect the country becomes stronger by spending more time with them.
Since assuming office in 2014, the PM has spent his Diwali with the Indian troops posted at the border.
Last year, the Prime Minister had visited Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district to celebrate Diwali with the army men guarding the Line of Control (LoC).
Modi was at the border positions of Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with the forces in 2018. He visited the Gurez sector of north Kashmir in 2017 and spent his Diwali with soldiers deployed there.
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
Read More