My Diwali is incomplete without you: PM to soldiers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Air Force Station at Jaisalmer by a special flight on Saturday and then reached Longewala Post to celebrate Diwali with the forces. Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief MM Narvane, are also accompanying the Prime Minister.

Jaisalmer (Rajasthan):Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said no power in the world can stop India's brave soldiers from guarding the borders of the country while adding that today every Indian is proud of the strength and bravery of their soldiers.

PM Modi addressed soldiers at Longewala in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan today on the occasion of Diwali.

"I would like to extend my Diwali greetings. I am here to convey ever Indias 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.

"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.

The Prime Minister further stated the history of the world always narrated that those nations have prospered which had the ability to fight its invaders.

"No matter how far international cooperation has progressed, the equations may have changed, but we can never forget that vigilance is the way to safety, awareness is the support of happiness, strength is the belief of victory and efficiency is the prize of peace," said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister further stated, today the whole world is troubled by the expansionist forces.

"Expansionism is, in a way, a mental disorder and reflects 18th Century thinking. India is also becoming a strong voice against this thinking. Recently our forces have decided that they will not ship more than 100 weapons and equipment from abroad," said PM Modi.

Keeping the tradition alive of celebrating Diwali with the Jawans on the border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier reached Longewala post at Indo-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer to celebrate Diwali with BSF and army Jawans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier arrived at the Air Force Station at Jaisalmer by a special flight.

The post is considered a symbol of indomitable courage in the 1971 war and will encourage them by celebrating Diwali with BSF and Army soldiers.

BSF director general Rakesh Asthana reached the area before Modi's arrival. Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and Army chief MM Narvane are also accompanying him.

The PM has been visiting the forward areas on the festival since 2014 when he elected to head the country for the first time.

In 2016, PM celebrated Diwali with Indian Tibetan Border Police personnel at Mana on the Indo-China border in the Chamoli, Uttarakhand In 2017, he celebrated the festival with soldiers posted in Deepawali in the Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2018, he celebrated Diwali with army personnel and ITBP personnel posted on the Chinese border in Uttarakhand.

In 2019, he visited Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district to celebrate Diwali with Army troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC).

With inputs from ANI