PM’s speech while celebrating Diwali with Security Forces in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 12 Nov, 2023

Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! This echo of hailing Mother India, this proclamation of the bravery of the Indian armies and defence forces, this historical land, and this auspicious festival of Diwali! This is a wonderful coincidence, and an amazing synchronicity. I believe that this moment filled with happiness and joy will radiate a new light for me, you and the countrymen on Diwali. As I am celebrating Diwali with all of you, all the countrymen, on the borders of the last village, which I now call the first village, with our armed forces deployed there, the Diwali greeting to all the countrymen also turns out to be very special. My heartiest greetings to the countrymen and best wishes on the occasion of Diwali. My family members, I have just been to Lepcha which is at a very high altitude. It is believed that festivals are celebrated only in the presence of family. Being posted at the border, away from one’s family on the day of festival, is in itself the pinnacle of devotion to duty. Everyone misses their families, but sadness is not visible on your faces even in this remote corner. Your level of enthusiasm has not diminished at all. You are full of enthusiasm, full of energy because you know that this huge family of 140 crore countrymen is your own family. And for that the country is grateful and indebted to you. Therefore, on Diwali, a lamp is lit in every house for your well-being. That’s why in every puja there is a prayer for heroes like you. On every Diwali, I spend the day amidst the soldiers of my defence forces with the same spirit. It has also been said – अवध तहाँ जहं राम निवासू! That is, wherever Ram resides, is Ayodhya. For me, the place where my Indian Army is present, where my country’s defence forces are deployed, is no less than a temple. Wherever you are, it is like a festival for me. And I might have done this for more than 30-35 years. I haven’t celebrated a single Diwali without you all for the last 30-35 years. Even when I wasn’t a PM or a CM, I used to go to the borders on Diwali as a proud son of Bharat. I used to enjoy sweets with you all even in those days and used to eat food in the mess. The name of this place is Sugar Point. By having some sweets with you, my Diwali has become even sweeter. My family members, This land has recorded itself in history with the ink of bravery. You have made the tradition of bravery steadfast, evergreen and unabated here. You have proven that – आसन्न मृत्यु के सीने पर, जो सिंहनाद करते हैं। मर जाता है काल स्वयं, पर वे वीर नहीं मरते हैं। (Even in the face of impending death, those who raise a battlecry; Time itself dies, but those brave men do not die.) Our soldiers have always had the legacy of this brave land, and they have always had that fire burning in their chests which has created examples of bravery every time. Our soldiers have always walked at the forefront, risking their lives. Our soldiers have always proved that they are the strongest wall of the country on the borders. My brave friends, Bharat’s armies and defence forces have relentlessly contributed to nation building. Our brave warriors have fought in so many wars immediately after independence; our warriors have won the hearts of the country fighting every challenge! Our brave sons and daughters have emerged victorious even in the most difficult challenges! Soldiers face every challenge during disasters like earthquakes! The brave men have saved lives by fighting against the sea during situations like tsunamis! Armies and defence forces have enhanced Bharat’s global stature in international peace missions! Which crisis has not been solved by our heroes? Is there any field where they have not enhanced the glory of the country? This year, I also proposed a Memorial Hall for Peacekeepers in the UN, and it was passed unanimously. This is a huge recognition at the international level for the sacrifice of our armies and soldiers. This will immortalize their contribution to global peace. Friends, In times of crises, our army and defence forces act as angels and rescue not only Indians but also foreign nationals. I remember, when Indians had to be evacuated from Sudan, there were so many dangers. But the brave men of Bharat completed their mission successfully without any loss. The people of Turkey still remember when a terrible earthquake had hit, our defence forces had saved the lives of others without caring about their own lives. If Indians are in trouble anywhere in the world, Indian forces, our defence forces, are always ready to save them. Bharat’s armies and defence forces remain at the forefront in every aspect, from combat to service. And that is why we are proud of our forces. We are proud of our defence forces, we are proud of our soldiers! We are proud of all of you! My family members, In the current situation around the world, expectations from Bharat are continuously rising. In such an important period, it is extremely crucial that Bharat’s borders remain secure and an atmosphere of peace is maintained in the country. And you play a major role in this. Bharat is safe as long as you, my brave friend, stand firm and steadfast like the Himalayas on its borders. It is because of your services that Bharat is safe and is on the path to prosperity. The period from last Diwali to this Diwali, i.e. the last one year, was full of unprecedented achievements especially for Bharat. One year of Amrit Kaal has become a symbolic year of Bharat’s security and prosperity. In the last one year, Bharat has landed its spacecraft on the Moon where no other country has been able to reach. A few days later, Bharat also successfully launched Aditya L1. We also successfully completed a very important test related to Gaganyaan. In the same year, Bharat’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, became a part of the Navy. In this very year, Bharat has started Asia’s largest Helicopter Factory in Tumkuru. In the same year, the Vibrant Village Programme was launched for the development of border areas. You have seen that Bharat has made its presence felt in the world of sports also. Many soldiers of the army and defence forces have won the hearts of the people by winning medals. In the last one year, our players scored a century of medals in the Asian and Para Games. Our women players have won the World Cup in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. After 40 years, Bharat has successfully organized the IOC meeting. Friends, The period from last Diwali to this Diwali was also a year of Indian democracy and Bharat’s global achievements. In this one year, Bharat entered the new Parliament building. In the new building of Parliament, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the very first session. In this very year, the most successful event of G-20 was held in Delhi. We signed important agreements like the New Delhi Declaration and Global Biofuel Alliance. During this period, Bharat became the most powerful country in the world in terms of real-time payments. During the same period, Bharat’s exports crossed $400 billion. During this period, Bharat achieved 5th position in global GDP. In the same period, we have overtaken Europe in terms of 5G user base. Friends, The last one year has been an important year for nation building. This year we have achieved many accolades in the infrastructure development of the country. Today Bharat has become the country with the second largest road network in the world. It was during this period that we started the world’s longest river cruise service. The country was gifted with its first rapid rail service, Namo Bharat. Vande Bharat trains have started gaining speed on 34 new routes in Bharat. We also launched the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Two world class convention centres Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam were inaugurated in Delhi. Bharat has become the country with the highest number of universities in Asia in the QS World Rankings. At the same time, Dhordo border village of Kutch, a small desert village in Dhordo, has received the Best Tourism Village Award from the United Nations. Santiniketan and Hoysala temples were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Friends, As long as you stand alert on the borders, the country will continue working whole-heartedly for a better future. Today,Bharat is touching the infinite heights of development with its full strength, and the credit for it also goes to your strength, your resolutions and your sacrifices. My family members, Bharat has endured centuries of struggles and has created possibilities from absolute zero. Bharat of the 21st century has now stepped on the path of turning into a self-reliant Bharat. Now our resolutions and resources will also be ours. Now our courage and weapons will also be ours. Our strength will be ours and the initiatives will also be ours. Our trust in every breath will also be immense. The players will be ours, the game will be ours, the victory will be ours and our vow is invincible; be it the high mountains or desert, deep sea or vast plains, this tricolour waving in the sky is always ours. In this ‘Amrit Kaal’, the time will also be ours, and the dreams will not just remain dreams; we will fulfil those dreams as well; the resolutions will be higher than the mountains. Bravery will be the only option; speed and dignity will be respected in the world, with tremendous successes, Bharat will be praised everywhere. Because, the battles that are fought with his strength, and those who have power in their hands create their own destiny. The strength of Bharat’s armies and defence forces is continuously growing. Bharat is fast emerging as a major global player in the defence sector. There was a time when we were dependent on others for our smallest needs. But, today we are moving towards meeting the defence needs of our friendly countries as well. When I came to celebrate Diwali in this region in 2016, Bharat’s defence exports have increased more than 8 times since then. Defence production is worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore in the country today and this is a record in itself. Friends, We will soon stand at a point where we will not have to look up to other countries in times of need. This has boosted the morale and strength of our armies and our defence forces. Be it the integration of high-tech technology, or important systems like CDS, the Indian Army is now slowly moving towards modernity. Yes, amidst this rapid spread of technology, I would also tell you that we must always keep human intelligence paramount in the use of technology. We have to ensure that technology never overpowers human sensibilities. Friends, Today, indigenous resources and top-class border infrastructure are also becoming our strength. And I am happy that women are also playing a massive role in this. In the past years, more than 500 women officers have been granted Permanent Commission in the Indian Army. Today women pilots are flying fighter planes like Rafale. Women officers are also being deployed on warships for the first time. Strong, capable and resourceful Indian forces will set new paradigms of modernity in the world. Friends, The government is taking full care of your needs and also that of your families. Now such dresses have been designed for our soldiers, which can tolerate even extreme temperatures. Today, such drones are being made in the country, which will become the strength of the soldiers and will also save their lives. Under One Rank One Pension-OROP, Rs 90 thousand crores have been given so far. Friends, The country knows that your every step determines the direction of history. It has been said only for heroes like you- शूरमा नहीं विचलित होते, क्षण एक नहीं धीरज खोते, विघ्नों को गले लगाते हैं, काँटों में राह बनाते हैं। I am sure you will continue to serve Mother India like this. With your support the nation will continue to touch new heights of development. Together we will fulfil every resolution of the country. With this wish, once again wishing you all a very happy Diwali. Say aloud with me- Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! My best wishes to you all on Deepawali!