I am Here to Celebrate Diwali With My Family: PM Modi Meets Indian Army Soldiers at Jaisalmer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Indian Army soldiers in Jaisalmer on Saturday. Speaking to the soldiers, he said, “When I went to Siachen during my first year as Prime Minister in 2014, people were surprised. But today, everyone knows my emotions and feelings. Being among the soldiers is being among my family. Today, I am here to celebrate Diwali with my family.”

He further said, “Whether you live on the snowy hills or in the desert, my Diwali is completed by coming between you. I see the beauty of your faces, see the happiness on your face, then I am doubly happy”.

आप भले बर्फीली पहाड़ियों पर रहें या फिर रेगिस्तान में, मेरी दीवाली तो आपके बीच आकर ही पूरी होती है।

आपके चेहरों की रौनक देखता हूं, आपके चेहरे की खुशिया देखता हूं, तो मुझे भी दोगुनी खुशी होती है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 14, 2020

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday morning reached the Jaisalmer Border Post to celebrate the festival of Diwali with jawans. Air Force’s special aircraft carrying PM Modi touched down at Jaisalmer’s Air Force airport at 9:15 AM today. PM Modi was accompanied by CDS Bipin Rawat and Army Chief general Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Speaking to soldiers at Rajasthan’s Longewala post, PM Modi said, “If anyone remembers the name of a post in the country, then it is the Longewala post. On this post, your colleagues have written such a saga of valour that people remember it fondly. The Battle of Longewala is remembered whenever the history of military skill is written,” he said.

“This was the time when Pakistan’s army was oppressing the people of Bangladesh. In order to divert the attention of the world, Pakistan opened a front on the western border of our country. They thought that by doing this they would hide their sins of what they did in Bangladesh. But Pakistan had to pay for their deeds. The echo of might on this post overwhelmed the enemy. Under the leadership of Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpur, the enemy was reduced to dust,” added PM Modi.

He also said, “This battle has shown that no one can come in front of the organized military power of India. Anyone who does, will not survive under any circumstances. It is going to be 50 years of the Battle of Longewala which happened in 1971. We will be celebrating it … that’s why I decided to come here today. ”

In a veiled attack on China, he added, “Today the whole world is troubled by expansionary forces. Expansionism is a kind of mental problem. It is the thinking of an 18th century-mindset and India is becoming a voice against this”.

Meanwhile, in a stern warning to enemies, while speaking to soldiers in Jaisalmer, PM Modi said that if anyone tries to test our capabilities, India will give an answer with equal force.

“Today, India’s strategy is clear. Today India believes in the policy of understanding and explaining. However, if anyone tries to test our capabilities, India will give an impactful reply,” he said.

आज भारत की रणनीति साफ है, स्पष्ट है।

आज का भारत समझने और समझाने की नीति पर विश्वास करता है लेकिन अगर हमें आज़माने की कोशिश होती है तो, जवाब भी उतना ही प्रचंड मिलता है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 14, 2020

He added, “India is safe today because India has sons and daughters like you (soldiers) to protect. Whenever the need arises, India has shown that it also has strength and political will. Today, India kills terrorists by entering their homes”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed that more than 100 foreign arms and ammunition will not be procured from foreign.

“We are making self-defence sector self-reliant. Focus will be on home-grown equipment,” he said.

हाल ही में हमारी सेनाओं ने निर्णय लिया है कि वो 100 से ज्यादा हथियारों और साजो-सामान को विदेश से नहीं मंगवाएगी: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 14, 2020

Addressing the defence forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the soldiers for their contribution to keeping India’s borders safe. He said, “Today, India is safe because it has the power to safeguard itself.”

Speaking to soldiers at the Jaisalmer border post, PM Modi said, “I urge you to try to incorporate three things in your life: First, the habit of innovating something, the habit of searching for something new, trying to bring it into life. Second, you must keep yoga a part of your life in every situation. Third, apart from your mother tongue, Hindi and English, try to learn another language of India. These things will promote new energy in you”.

PM Modi’s Diwali wishes
Earlier, PM Modi wished everyone on the festival of Diwali on Twitter.

Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this festival further brightness and happiness. May everyone be prosperous and healthy.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 14, 2020
He had also tweeted, “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. We are also grateful to the families of those on the borders.”

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. We are also grateful to the families of those on the borders. pic.twitter.com/UAKqPLvKR8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2020
The prime minister also posted an audio clip of his recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast in which he had first given a call to citizens to light a ‘diya’ for soldiers in Diwali.

Since assuming office in 2014, the prime minister has been celebrating Diwali by spending time with soldiers in forward areas in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.