In his usual style, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with armed forces this year as well when he visited the soldiers on duty in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera district today.
Addressing them, PM Modi said that he has brought along with him the wishes of the 130 crore Indians and that spending Diwali with the armed forces for him is in the same spirit as to celebrate Diwali with his family.
Calling them the living security shield of the country, the PM said that on Thursday evening, every Indian will light one 'diya' to convey wishes for the brave soldiers of the country.
Greeting countrymen from Nowshera, PM Modi also wished everyone for other upcoming festivals such as Goverdhan Puja, Bhaiyya Dooj and Chatth.
Paying rich tribute to the heroes of Nowshera, Brig. Usman and Naik Jadunath Singh who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the region from Pakistan Army and tribal leaders in 1948, the PM said that Nowshera’s history celebrates the bravery of India.
"The region has stood strongly against the aggressor and encroachers," said the Prime Minister.
He also praised the Brigade stationed there for their role in the surgical strike and recalled the moment of relief when all the brave soldiers returned safely from the strike.
The Prime Minister also talked about the growing 'Aatmnirbharta' in defence resources as opposed to earlier periods of dependence on the foreign countries. He said 65 per cent of the defence budget is being used inside the country.
He also talked of the seven new defence companies launched on Vijaya Dashmi as the old ordnance factories will now make specialised sector specific equipment and ammunition. The PM said that defence corridors are also coming up and India’s youth is involved in vibrant defence related start-ups. All this will strengthen India’s position as a defence exporter, he said.
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He also remarked that connectivity in border areas from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, from Jaisalmer to Andaman Nicobar has been established with modern infrastructure, leading to unprecedented improvement in the infrastructure and convenience for soldiers.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the participation of women in the country’s defence is touching new heights. After being deployed on the frontlines in the Navy and Air Force, now women’s role is being expanded in the Army also. Along with opening up of the Permanent Commission, NDA, National Military School, National Indian Military College for women, the Prime Minister mentioned his Independence Day announcement of opening up Sainik Schools for the girls.
The PM said that it is the human values that make Indian armed forces distinct and extraordinary.
"For you, this is not just a job for salary, for you this is a calling and worship, a worship in which you channel the spirit of 130 crore people. Empires come and go but India was eternal thousands of years ago and remains so today and will remain eternal after thousands of years later," he said.
"We don’t perceive the nation as a government, power or empire, for us, it is living, present soul, defending this is not limited to defending just the geographical boundaries. For us national defence means defending this living national vibrancy, national unity, and national integration," the PM added further.
Also Read: From Siachen to Kedarnath – here is how PM Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali every year
