India safe as long as its brave soldiers stand guard at borders: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that security forces have a big role in maintaining peace and keeping Indias borders safe at a time of rising global expectations from the country as he flew to Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh to spend his Diwali with soldiersKeeping with his annual practice of spending time with personnel of the armed forces on Diwali Modi also asserted that India is fast emerging as a big global player in the defence sector and the capabilities of its security forces are constantly rising Global circumstances are such that the expectations from India are also constantly rising the prime minister saidAt such an important time it is necessary that Indias borders are protected and there is an environment of peace in the country and you have a big role in this Modi dressed in IndoTibetan Border Police ITBP fatigues saidIndia is protected till the time my bravehearts are standing on the borders unflinching as the Himalayas the prime minister said He added that after independence these bravehearts Army personnel fought so many wars and won the countrys heartOur jawans have snatched victory in the face of challengesIt is said that parv is where the parivaar is On festivals being away from the family and deployed on the borders exemplifies the commitment to duty The country is indebted to you Modi told soldiersTherefore on Diwali one diya is for your safety and in every prayer people wish for your safety the prime minister said noting that for 3035 years he has been travelling to border areas on Diwali to celebrate the festival with soldiersModi noted that he has been doing it since long before he was either prime minister or chief ministerIndias soldiers have always walked ahead risking their lives and have always proven that they are the strongest wall at the borders he addedFor me a place where our security forces are deployed is no less than a temple Modi saidThe prime minister also hailed the role played by the armed forces in evacuations in earthquakehit areas and during other calamities When we had to pull out people from Sudan Indias bravehearts completed the mission with courage When there was an earthquake in Turkiye they risked their lives to save people Modi saidWherever Indians are in danger security forces are always committed to ensuring their safety he asserted We are proud of our forces and soldiers Modi addedI wish the people of the country from the last village which I call the first where I am celebrating Diwali with security forces The greetings on Diwali from here are special the prime minister saidHe said that the period between the last Diwali and this one has been full of unprecedented achievements for IndiaModi went on to list Indias achievements such as Chandrayaan 3 Aditya L1 launch winning over 100 medals in the Asian and Paralympic games moving into the new Parliament building passage of the womens reservation bill successful organising of the G20 and India becoming fifthlargest in the world in terms of GDPIf India is touching heights of development with its full force the credit for that also goes to your capabilities resolve and sacrifices Modi said addressing the soldiersCapabilities of Indias security forces are constantly rising and India is fast emerging as a big global player in the defence sector he saidThere was a time when we were dependent on others for small things but now we are also fulfilling the needs of our friends and allies Modi saidIn his remarks Prime Minister Modi also pointed out that in recent years over 500 women officers were given permanent commission in the ArmyThe prime minister arrived in Lepcha in the morning to celebrate Diwali with security forces He shared photographs of his interaction with soldiers Modi is seen offering them sweetsIn his post on X Modi said Spending Diwali with our brave security forces in Lepcha Himachal Pradesh has been an experience filled with deep emotion and prideAway from their families these guardians of our nation illuminate our lives with their dedication he saidThe courage of our security forces is unwavering Stationed in the toughest terrains away from their loved ones their sacrifice and dedication keep us safe and secure the prime minister addedIndia will always be grateful to these heroes who are the perfect embodiment of bravery and resilience Modi said in another postEarlier in the day he greeted people on Diwali and wished them joy prosperity and healthWishing everyone a Happy Diwali May this special festival bring joy prosperity and wonderful health to everyones lives Modi saidSince coming to power in 2014 Modi has been visiting military facilities to celebrate DiwaliIn 2014 the prime minister celebrated the festival of lights with soldiers at the Siachen Glacier In the following year on the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan Modi visited three memorials in Punjab where the Indian armed forces had fought pitched battles that proved to be key to the countrys victoryIn 2016 the prime minister travelled to Himachal Pradesh to meet the personnel of the IndoTibetan Border Police the Dogra Scouts and the Army at Sumdoh near the China border In 2017 Modi was in the Gurez sector in north Kashmir while in 2018 he celebrated Diwali in Harsil Uttarakhand which was followed by a visit to KedarnathAfter being reelected to the high office in 2019 Modi celebrated Diwali in Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir In 2020 he was at a border post of Longewala on Diwali and in 2021 he celebrated the festival with soldiers in NowsheraThe prime minister celebrated Diwali with the armed forces in Kargil last yearThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever