PM Modi, jawans celebrate Diwali at J&K's Naushera, ‘I join family to spend Diwali every year’
Since taking over as the Prime Minister, Modi has made it a point to meet the troops in a border region on Diwali, starting from a visit to Siachen in 2014.
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressing soldiers in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Diwali said he wished to celebrate Diwali with family members and hence, he joins soldiers at the borders every year on the occasion. He also said he brought along with him the blessing of crores of Indians for the jawans there.
“Our soldiers are the 'suraksha kawach' of 'Maa Bharti'. It is because of you all that people of our country can sleep peacefully and there is happiness during festivals,” he said, adding, “Your capability, strength ensure peace and security for the country.”
“I have spent each Diwali with soldiers guarding our borders. Today, I have brought along with me the blessings of crores of Indians for our soldiers here,” he said.
The Prime Minister lauded the role played by the brigade here in surgical strikes that was carried out on September 29, 2016, across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to a terrorist attack on an Army base in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi said the day the surgical strikes were conducted is etched in his memory forever as he sat beside his phone checking on the whereabouts of every soldier.
“The role played by this brigade during the surgical strike fills everyone with pride. I will remember that day forever as it was decided that all soldiers should return before sunset... I was sitting beside the phone and was asking about the whereabouts of every soldier,” Modi said.
Modi was quoted by ANI as saying "Earlier, it used to take years together to procure defence equipment for the security forces. The commitment to self-reliance in the defence sector is the only way to change old methods."
Highlighting his government's emphasis on indigenous defence production, the PM said, “About 65 per cent of the defence budget is being spent on procurement within the country. Today, Arjun tanks are being built inside the country, aircraft like Tejas are also being made inside the country. Seven defence companies were dedicated to the nation on Vijayadashami.”
Since taking over as the Prime Minister, Modi has made it a point to meet the troops in a border region on Diwali, starting from a visit to Siachen in 2014.
