JAISALMER: Celebrating Diwali with the armed and paramilitary forces in Jaisalmer's Longewala, applauded those guarding the borders.
"You are the happiness of the people of the country, it is the festival of the country and I have brought love for you all, I have brought blessings. I extend Diwali wishes to your brave mothers, sisters and children, I salute their sacrifice whose dears ones are at the borders," he said while addressing them.
"Your colleagues had written a story of valour at Longewala post, which fills enthusiasm in every indian even today," he sai. The PM, with the slogan 'bole so nihal, sasriyakaal,' saluted the valour of brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri of 1971 war against Pakistan.
He said that in the war against Pakistan in 1971, there was excellent coordination between Army, Navy and Air Force. "No power in the world can stop our soldiers from protecting our borders. Next year the Longewala war will complete 50 years and we will celebrate it in excellent manner. Our 120 soldiers gave a befitting reply to Pakistan soldiers in this war," he added.
The PM had reached Jaisalmer's Air Force station at 9.15 am on Saturday. He was welcomed by the senior officers of the Air Force. Along with the Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin rawat, Chief of Army Staff General Mukund Narwane, BSF DG Rakesh Asthana and other officers reached Jaisalmer, and then left for Longewala by helicopter.
On reaching Longewala, he celebrated Diwali with the jawans and officers of the army and BSF, extended them wishes and distributed sweets and later addressed a soldiers' meet.
PM Modi celebrating Diwali with jawans said that whether you are on snow covered mountains or on desert, my Diwali is fulfilled being amidst you. "I see the glow on your faces, happiness on your faces after which I feel more happy," he said.
PM modi said that new start-ups in the defence sector will bring the country more speedily towards self-reliance. "I want to make three requests to you - first make it a habit in your daily life to innovate something new, second make yoga a part of your life and third learn at least one language apart from your mother tongue, Hindi and English," he said
Speaking about the surgical strike and air strike, Modi said that now the world knows that India is not going to compromise on its interests.
PM, speaking on the China issue, said that today the entire world is disturbed with the expanding powers. Expansion is a mental illness and it shows the mentality of 18th century. India's voice is becoming strong against such thinkings. "India has shown that it has the power and political will to give befitting reply to those who challenge her," he said.