Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to soldiers and their scarifies as he spent Diwali with soldiers at Longewala in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. Spending Diwali today with soldiers is a tradition PM Modi has followed every year since he came to power in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 14 November arrived in Jaisalmer to spend Diwali with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Army troops deployed at the Longewala post. As per reports, BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief MM Narvane are with the Prime Minister during this Diwali celebration.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi taking a dig at China, said that the world is troubled by expansionist forces and Indians are proud of invincibility. No power in the world can stop our brave soldiers from guarding the borders of our country. He also said that the world has taken notice of how India kills terrorists by ‘entering their homes’ by taunting Pakistan. Addressing the troops, PM Modi said, “I would like to extend my Diwali greetings. I have brought the greetings of every Indian to you today and My Diwali is Incomplete Without You..” He also lauded the response of the forces amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On the eve of Diwali, on 13 November, PM Modi had tweeted expressing his gratitude to soldiers for their service.
Last year, PM Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district to celebrate Diwali with Army troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC). While in 2018, he was at the border positions of Uttarakhand. He visited Gurez sector of north Kashmir in 2017 and spent his Diwali with soldiers deployed there. He spent his first Diwali with soldiers as PM in Siachen in 2014 in a rare and unannounced visit. He has followed the practice every year by celebrating the festival with soldiers in forward areas.
