Keeping with his tradition of spending Diwali with armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent this year’s Diwali with armed forces in Kargil. Addressing the jawans, the Prime Minister said that the reverence for the soil of Kargil always draws him towards the brave sons and daughters of the armed forces. “For years, you have been a part of my family”, the Prime Minister said
The Prime Minister emphasised that no such battles against Pakistan had occurred because, following Kargil's victory, the Tricolor was not raised. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the festival of lights would highlight the way to peace and prosperity in the current geopolitical environment, reflecting India's aspiration in the modern world.
"I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around," Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country's frontiers.
"In Kargil, our armed forces had crushed the hood of terror and people still remember Diwali that was celebrated back then," he said. He said over the last eight years, the government has worked on implementing reforms in the armed forces by deploying new technologies, developing infrastructure in border areas and opening up positions for women in the armed forces.
He highlighted about how India has been dealing with its enemies, both external and internal, with force and recounted the steps taken to "uproot" the "terror, naxalism and extremism" from within the country. He said India has never viewed war as the first option. "We have always seen war as the last resort. We are in favour of global peace. But peace cannot be achieved without strength.”
The Prime Minister said that the eyes of the whole world today are on India and its growth potential. He said that the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal is going to be a real witness to this power of India. “Your role in this is huge because you are the Pride of India”, the Prime Minister remarked. He concluded his address by reciting a poem dedicated to the jawans of the armed forces.
