PrintFriendly- On behalf of 130 crore countrymen, I once again congratulate all the brave hearts who have stood round the clock for the service and safety of Maa Bharati.
- Be it on the borders of the country, the skies or the seas; the snowy peaks or the dense forests, I salute every valiant son and daughter defending the nation, our forces, BSF, ITBP, CISF, security forces and police personnel on this auspicious festival of Deepawali.
- The safety of the nation, the happiness of the people and these festivals of the country are because of you. Today I have brought the greetings of every Indian.
- I have brought the love of crores of Indians. I have come with the blessings of every senior citizen.
- I extend my heartfelt greetings to those brave mothers and sisters today, and salute their sacrifice whose own sons/daughters or brothers/sisters are posted on the borders even during the festival. I salute all the family members.
- Once again close both fists and speak loudly along with me: Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
- Friends, I remember that I had visited Siachenon the occasion ofDeepawali for the first time in 2014 after becoming the Prime Minister to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers.
- A lot of people were surprised. What is the Prime Minister doing on a festive day? But, now you also know my feelings.
- How can I stay away from my own people on the festival of Diwali? And that’s why I am here with you today even this year on Deepawali. I have come to my loved ones.
- Whether you are on the snowy hills, or in the desert, Diwali feels complete to me only when I am with you! When I see the brightness and happiness on your faces, it multiplies the level of my joy.
- For this happiness and also for the joy of my countrymen, today once again I have come here to be with you in a desert.
- I have brought some sweets for you on this festive occasion. But it is not just the Prime Minister of the country who has come with sweets.
- I have also brought the love of all the countrymen along with the sweets. You can taste the sweetness of the hands of every mother in the country.
- In these sweets, you have the blessings of every brother, sister and father. And therefore, I have not come here alone.
- I have also brought with me the love, affection and blessings that the country has for you.
- And friends, Today I am here on this post of Longewala and the country is watching you, the sons and the daughters of Maa Bharati who bring glory to my country.
- I believe that the name of a post most remembered by the people of the country and several generations is the Longewala post – a post, where the temperature touches 50 degrees in summer and goes below zero degrees in winter; and one cannot even see each other’s face due to the way in which the sand blows in May and June.
- At this post, your colleagues have written a saga of valour that fills the heart of every Indian with a lot of zeal even today.
- As soon as we speak of Longewala, the slogan of ‘जो बोले सो निहाल, सत श्री अकाल’ starts ringing in the ears.
Author
(The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organisation)