PM Modi reaches Jaisalmer's Longewala to celebrate Diwali with soldiers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning arrived in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer to celebrate Diwali with soldiers at the Longewala post, keeping up with his tradition of celebrating the festival of lights with the armed forces. He is reportedly accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Narvane, and Border Security Force (BSF) Director-General Rakesh Asthana. Here are more details.
Watch: PM Modi addressing the jawans at Longewala
Army, BSF, IAF officials part of PM's Diwali celebrations
As many as 600 men in uniform are reportedly participating in PM Modi's Diwali celebrations in Longewala, including officials of the Indian Army, BSF, and the Indian Air Force. Earlier on Saturday, he took to Twitter to greet people of the country on Diwali. "Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this festival further brightness and happiness. May everyone be prosperous and healthy," he tweeted.
Prime Minister extends greetings on Diwali
'My Diwali is complete only when I come amid you'
Addressing soldiers at the Longewala post, PM Modi said, "I would like to extend my Diwali greetings. I have brought the greetings of every Indian among you today." "You may be at the snow-capped mountains or in deserts, my Diwali is complete only when I come amid you. My happiness doubles when I look at the joy on your faces," the Prime Minister added.
'No power can stop brave soldiers from guarding our borders'
"The whole of 130 crore Indians are standing with you. Every Indian is proud of the strength and valor of our soldiers," PM Modi said while addressing the soldiers. "They are proud of your invincibility. No power in the world can stop our brave soldiers from guarding the borders of our country," he stated.
PM Modi salutes the strength and valor of soldiers
The Battle of Longewala will always be remembered: Modi
"Be it the peaks of the Himalayas, the stretch of desert, dense forests, or depths of seas—your valor has always triumphed in every challenge," PM Modi said. Speaking about the Battle of Longewala, fought during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, and the bravery shown by soldiers, he said, "Whenever history on the excellence of our soldiers is written, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered."
'Light a diya as a salute to soldiers'
On Friday, the eve of Diwali, PM Modi urged people across the country to light a diya as a salute to the soldiers who protect our nation. "This Diwali, let us also light a Diya as a #Salute2Soldiers who fearlessly protect our nation. Words can't do justice to the sense of gratitude we have for our soldiers for their exemplary courage," he tweeted.
Here's what Modi tweeted on the eve of Diwali
Diwali with armed forces: A tradition Modi started in 2014
Notably, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi has kept up with his practice of celebrating Diwali with the soldiers this year, too. He started the tradition when he first became the PM in 2014. In 2014, he went to Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, for celebrating Diwali. Since then, he has visited several border outposts in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.
