Diwali 2020: Prime Minister Modi addressed the soldiers at Longewala in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer:
“If someone tries to test us at the border, then the response will be appropriate,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he paid tribute to the soldiers and their sacrifices. Prime Minister Modi is spending Diwali with soldiers at Longewala strategic post in Jaisalmer of Rajasthan.
In a clear blow to China, Prime Minister Modi said without naming him that the whole world is concerned about “expansionist” forces and that expansionism displays a “distorted mentality” that belongs to the 18th century.
“India believes in the policy of understanding others and making them understand, but if you try to prove it, the country will give a fierce response,” he said.
Spending Diwali with soldiers is a tradition Prime Minister Modi has followed every year since he came to power in 2014.
The Prime Minister’s remarks in Jaisalmer come a day after eleven people, including five soldiers, were killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in various areas of northern Jammu and Kashmir.
“India has long borders with various nations, but if there is one border post whose name is known to all Indians, that is Longewala. The Battle of Longewala is one that all Indians know and the saying ‘Joh bole so nihaal, sat sri akaal“It comes to mind every time we think about it,” Prime Minister Modi said, addressing the soldiers.
Next year marks 50 years since the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 Indian-Pakistani war.
“Some people may wonder why Modi-Hee you will meet the soldiers year after year on Diwali. But tell me one thing, Diwali is a festival that we celebrate with family and with those we call our … so every year, I spend time with all of you, because you are all mine, my family, “said Prime Minister Modi ., thanking the soldiers on behalf of the rest of the country. “Today I bring you all sweets. But these are not just mine. It belongs to the 130 crore Indians.”
“The more time I spend with you, the stronger my determination to serve and protect the country,” he said.
On the eve of Diwali, Prime Minister Modi had urged citizens to light diyas (oil lamps) for those guarding the borders.
Last year, Prime Minister Modi visited the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate Diwali with soldiers guarding the Line of Control (LoC).
The year before, he was in Uttarakhand. In 2017, he passed the festival of lights with soldiers stationed in the Gurez sector of northern Kashmir.
Prime Minister Modi spent his first Diwali in office with soldiers on Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world. He reportedly spent Diwalis similarly when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Today’s visit to Jaisalmer is the second time this year that PM Modi interacted with soldiers. In July, he paid a surprise visit to an outpost in Ladakh at the height of a border clash with China after a clash on June 14 when 20 soldiers died across the country in the Galwan Valley.
Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army MM Narvane and Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Rakesh Asthana accompanied the Prime Minister to Jaisalmer.
(With PTI inputs)
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