New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the eve of Deepawali, urged the countrymen to light an earthen lamp as a mark of respect and gratitude towards the soldiers, who protect the borders of the country.

'This Diwali, let us also light a Diya as a #Salute2Soldiers who fearlessly protect our nation. Words can't do justice to the sense of gratitude we have for our soldiers for their exemplary courage. We are also grateful to the families of those on the borders,' the Prime Minister posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Mr Modi, along with his tweet, posted a video of his recent Mann Ki Baat programme, wherein he had urged the citizens to celebrate the festival of Deepawali, keeping in mind that 'our soldiers are standing at this time at the border and serving and protecting Mother India'.

In his message to the Defence personnel, Mr Modi said, 'Even though you are on the border, the whole country is with you and is wishing for you.'

The country will on Saturday celebrate the festival of Deepawali, even as the threat of pandemic Novel Coronavirus looms large.

For nearly a month, the COVID-19 cases have been witnessing a downward trend, and today was the sixth consecutive day, when new cases reported in the last 24 hours did not cross the 50,000 mark.

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