PM Modi celebrates Diwali with jawans in Himachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this year's Diwali with soldiers in Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh. He offered them sweets and told them "India is safe as long as our Army stands firm and unshakeable like the Himalayas, on its borders."

PM Modi remarked on his tradition of celebrating Diwali with Army jawans and said he has been doing it for the last 30 to 35 years. He said it was a tradition he had been observing even before he became the chief minister of Gujarat or the prime



minister.

The Prime Minister lauded the Army's role in securing the borders amid the conflicts around the world. "Given the situation in the world today, expectations from India are continuously increasing. In such a situation, it is important that India's borders remain secure. We are creating an atmosphere of peace in the country, and you have a big role in this," he told the troops.

He added that for him, a place where the security forces are deployed is no less than a temple.