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  • 'Ayodhya is where Indian army personnel are': PM Modi celebrates Diwali with security forces

    National
    'Ayodhya is where Indian army personnel are': PM Modi celebrates Diwali with security forces
    PM Modi praised security forces for their role in nation-building and raising the nation's stature internationally...

    Digital Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accorded high regards to the personnel of the Indian Army saying for him Ayodhya is where Indian Army soldiers are. The Prime Minister visited Lepcha, in Himachal Pradesh, on Diwali, and together they celebrated the festival with the soldiers. 

    "I come and celebrate Diwali every year with our Army personnel," he said in a statement on the occasion. "Ayodhya is supposed to be the home of Lord Ram, but in my opinion, Indian Army soldiers are stationed there," he further stated. 

    "I have not celebrated any Diwali for the last 30 to 35 years when I was not with you people. When I was not the PM or CM, even then I visited some of the other border areas to celebrate the festival of Diwali," he added.

    Calling Lepcha the "first village", PM Modi stated, "It is said that festival is celebrated only where there is family, but today, you all are stationed at the borders while being away from your families, it shows the pinnacle of your devotion to duty."

    In praising the security forces for their role in nation-building and raising the nation's stature internationally, Prime Minister Modi stated, "India is safe as long as its brave soldiers are standing on its borders, unflinching as the Himalayas." 

    "India is becoming a major player in the defence industry on a worldwide scale. Presently, we are making progress toward meeting the defence-related requirements of both our nation and friendly nations," he added.
     
    He noted that while national defence manufacturing has reached Rs 1 lakh crore, India's defence exports have surged eightfold between Diwali in 2016 and now. Additionally, he emphasized that more than 500 female officers have received permanent Army commissions. 

    Since taking term as prime minister in 2014, Modi has observed the annual Diwali festival accompanied by security forces.