Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his fourth Diwali with Army jawans – this time at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir, which is at a shooting distance from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) and has witnessed many cases of infiltration in last 30 years. During the two-hour visit to the the picturesque valley on the Line of Control in Bandipora district, PM Modi said like everyone else, he also wanted to spend his time with his family on Diwali so he came to join his family (indicating army soldiers).
Exchanging greetings and distributing sweets amongst the soldiers, Prime Minister Modi said he feels fresh energy whenever he comes to meet the jawans of the Armed Forces. He said he has no word to express his praise for the Jawans for their sacrifices and penance.
Later on he penned down, “Protecting the Motherland, far from your loved ones, displaying the highest traditions of sacrifice, all soldiers at the nation’s borders, are symbols of bravery and dedication… The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians.”
Quoting an Army official news agency Press Trust of India, reported that Army chief General Bipin Rawat along with other senior officers accompanied him.
“You make it possible for 125 crore Indians to celebrate Diwali happily. Your dreams and responsibilities are the responsibility of us all. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with you,” he had told the soldiers.
Two years ago, he celebrated it along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab.
Last year, he spent Diwali on the Indo-Pak in Himachal Pradesh. “They say you should celebrate Diwali with your people and that’s why I have come here,” he had said to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel
