Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
India

Your dedication shines like steel: PM Modi hails Indian soldiers

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Oct, 2024 11:52 AM
  • Your dedication shines like steel: PM Modi hails Indian soldiers

Kutch, Oct 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday continued his tradition of celebrating Diwali with the Indian armed forces. He spent the festival with soldiers at Lakki Nala in Gujarat's Sir Creek, where he lauded their dedication towards the nation.

Extending his warm wishes, PM Modi lauded the commitment and dedication of soldiers stationed at this challenging border area.

Greeting the soldiers with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," PM Modi began by extending Diwali greetings to them.

"On this sacred land near Sir Creek, it is my privilege to celebrate Diwali with you. When I celebrate with you, the joy of Diwali multiplies. This Diwali is special as Lord Ram has finally returned to his temple in Ayodhya," he said, noting the symbolism of this year's festival.

PM Modi also expressed his gratitude on behalf of India's 140 crore citizens, recognising the courage of the soldiers defending the nation in extreme conditions.

"You serve in regions where temperatures drop below zero in the mountains and where searing heat and desert storms test your resilience. Your dedication shines like steel, intimidating any enemy who attempts to challenge us," he said.

Lauding the Indian Navy's role in securing Gujarat's coast and countering anti-India conspiracies, PM Modi highlighted the strategic importance of Kutch, particularly during the 1971 War.

"This region has always been a target, yet India's forces have guarded it firmly. Today, with our Navy here, no adversary dares cast an eye on Sir Creek," he said.

The Prime Minister assured that India's borders were non-negotiable and recalled the past challenges of diplomatic efforts to take over Sir Creek, which he had opposed as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

"Our policies reflect the resolve of our armed forces, not the words of our enemies," he stressed.

PM Modi highlighted India's strides in modernising its Defence sector by emphasising on building an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

Citing the inauguration of the C295 factory in Vadodara, he noted that India is now building indigenous submarines, aircraft carriers like Vikrant, and fighter jets such as Tejas.

"We are moving towards a self-reliant Defence sector. Our Defence exports have increased thirty-fold over the past decade," he said, commending the armed forces for creating a list of over 5,000 Defence items that will no longer be imported.

The Prime Minister also addressed the importance of drone technology as modern warfare evolves, stating, "Drone technology is now a vital tool for surveillance, Intelligence, and combat. India is advancing in this field, with predator drones being acquired and local startups manufacturing indigenous drones."

He underscored the ongoing integration of India's three armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, with efforts directed at establishing an Integrated Theater Command.

"I often say that there is one Army, one Air Force, and one Navy. However, when they conduct joint exercises, we see them as 111," he remarked.

Highlighting India's infrastructure improvements, PM Modi said that more than 80,000 kms of border roads have been built over the past ten years, along with strategic tunnels, such as the Atal Tunnel, to ensure connectivity in remote areas.

The Prime Minister spoke of the Vibrant Villages scheme, aiming to develop hamlets along India's borders.

"We have redefined these areas not as the last but as the 'first villages' of our nation. Our vision is to turn these into vibrant tourist zones, just like the Rann Utsav in Dhordo," he said, sharing plans to establish mangrove forests and economic zones in the region.

PM Modi concluded by sharing sweets with the personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force, bringing Diwali cheer to the remote and strategic area of Lakki Nala near Sir Creek, which has historically been a challenging border post under BSF vigilance.

 

MORE India ARTICLES

Punjab gram panchayat polls see 77 pc voter turnout: Election Commissioner

Punjab gram panchayat polls see 77 pc voter turnout: Election Commissioner
Seventy-seven per cent voter turnout has been recorded in Punjab as per the data received from Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officers for the gram panchayat elections, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said on Wednesday. He said Mansa district remained at the top with a poll percentage of 83.27 per cent, while Tarn Taran district saw the lowest at 64.40 per cent.

Punjab gram panchayat polls see 77 pc voter turnout: Election Commissioner

Gujarat Crime Branch nabs accused in gold fraud case

Gujarat Crime Branch nabs accused in gold fraud case
Gujarat Crime Branch on Wednesday nabbed the main accused and two accomplices involved in a major gold fraud case. An official said that the accused had posed as a wealthy Sardar and defrauded a jeweller of 2,100 grams of gold biscuits by using fake currency notes featuring actor Anupam Kher’s photograph.

Gujarat Crime Branch nabs accused in gold fraud case

Punjab will emerge as a digital hub: CM

Punjab will emerge as a digital hub: CM
During a meeting with, Daniel Julien, Chairman and CEO of Teleperformance (TP), a global leader for outsourced digital business services, here the Chief Minister said the state has immense potential in this vast sector. He appreciated that Teleperformance has over 16,000 employees in Mohali.

Punjab will emerge as a digital hub: CM

Six injured in two firing incidents in Punjab panchayat polls

Six injured in two firing incidents in Punjab panchayat polls
Two incidents of firing were reported on Tuesday as counting of ballots for panchayat polls, is underway in Punjab. Four people were injured in Tarn Taran and two were injured in another incident in Patiala during voting. Also, two government employees died owing to poor health as polling for over 13,000 gram panchayats was underway.

Six injured in two firing incidents in Punjab panchayat polls

Six Assembly constituencies in Bengal to go for bypolls on Nov 13 IANS

Six Assembly constituencies in Bengal to go for bypolls on Nov 13 IANS
These six constituencies are Sitai in Cooch Behar district, Madarihat in Alipurduar district, Naihati and Haroa in North 24 Parganas, Medinipur in West Midnapore district, and Taldangra in Bankura district.

Six Assembly constituencies in Bengal to go for bypolls on Nov 13 IANS

Filled me with pride: Union Minister Hardeep Puri reacts on India's response to Canada

Filled me with pride: Union Minister Hardeep Puri reacts on India's response to Canada
As Hindu temples in Canada continue to be constantly vandalised by Khalistani goons and Hindu-Canadians besides Indian diplomats also being repeatedly targeted, the MEA had on Monday issued a strongly-worded statement, detailing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's continued hostility towards India which it said has long been in evidence.

Filled me with pride: Union Minister Hardeep Puri reacts on India's response to Canada