WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER DID ON DIWALI

2014: Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Siachen to celebrate Diwali with soldiers posted at the world’s highest battlefield. He went there early in the morning and spent more than an hour with the soldiers at a base camp at a height of over 12,000 feet. He praised their valour and courage, saying that 1.25 billion Indians could celebrate Diwali and go about their lives in comfort because the jawans stood guard at the borders, prepared to make every sacrifice for the nation.

2015: Modi visited the Dograi War Memorial at Khasa in Amritsar and placed a wreath at the venue of one of the toughest battles fought and won by Indian forces on September 22, 1965. Addressing the troops, he said, “I have come to celebrate Diwali with you. I am happy to get this opportunity.” The PM said: “It is because of your valour, dedication and dreams that the whole world looks at India with respect. It is not only because of the uniform but also the character of the armed forces.”

2016: Modi visited border posts in Himachal Pradesh, meeting the soldiers on duty. “They say you should celebrate Diwali with your people and that’s why I have come here to celebrate Diwali with you all,” he told soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police at the Sumdo forward post in Kinnaur, close to the border with China. “We the people of India sleep peacefully because you guard our borders,” he said.

2017: The PM reached Gurez valley along the Line of Control to celebrate Diwali with troops posted in the forward area. He tweeted: “May this auspicious festival brighten your lives with prosperity and good health and may there be happiness all around.”