Saluting the bravery of troops, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the presence of brave soldiers at the border lights the lamp of hope.
"I have an opportunity to spend Diwali with you. The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians," Modi said.
He was addressing the troops of the army and Border Security Force (BSF) in the Gurez Valley along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir's Bandipora district after arriving here on Thursday morning to celebrate Diwali with soldiers whom he termed his family.
This is the fourth successive Diwali that the PM has celebrated with the jawans on the borders. Modi said, like everyone else, he too wished to spend Diwali with his family. Therefore, he had come to meet the jawans, whom he considers family.
"Glad to have celebrated Diwali with our brave Army and BSF Jawans in the Gurez Valley, Jammu and Kashmir…," he tweeted.
"Our Forces protect our Motherland with utmost valour, displaying highest traditions of sacrifice and dedication," he added.
Donning an army camouflage jacket, the Prime Minister mingled with soldiers and exchanged sweets to celebrate Diwali.
The Prime Minister also expressed happiness that the soldiers were practicing yoga regularly. "Spending time with our Forces gives me new energy. We exchanged sweets & interacted. Happy to know the Jawans practice Yoga regularly", he said.
Modi also had a word of advice for the troops, who leave the force after serving for some years, to train themselves as yoga trainers. "Yoga has played a big and important part in my life. I get a lot of energy from it. People also ask me how I run in this age. Those who desire to leave the army after three or five years, they should train themselves in their last tenure as yoga trainer", he said.
On One Rank One Pension (OROP), Modi said this question was hanging for the last 40 years, but they have done it.
"I said I have to do it but I did not have money. I therefore separated it in three parts… You will be surprised and you will be happy. I was happy when the officers of the army said do not worry and if you want to divide it in four parts, do it because we do not want to become a burden on the nation. I am happy today that we have done it and the army has supported us", he said.
PM’s note
- “Protecting the Motherland, far from your loved ones, displaying the highest traditions of sacrifice, all soldiers at the nation’s borders, are symbols of bravery and dedication.”
- “I have an opportunity to spend Diwali with you. The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians.”
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