He said, “INS Vikrant stands as a powerful symbol of self-reliant India and Made in India. The very name of Vikrant is enough to unsettle our enemies — it has given Pakistan sleepless nights.”
This marks the 12th consecutive year that PM Modi has celebrated Diwali with the armed forces. Last year, he spent the festival with troops in Kutch, Gujarat. Over the past 11 years, he has celebrated Diwali in Jammu and Kashmir four times — more than any other location.
During his address, the Prime Minister praised the Navy’s role in evacuating Indians stranded abroad, commending their bravery and coordination with the Coast Guard. He noted that an indigenous warship or submarine is now being added to the Navy every 40 days, showcasing India’s advancing defense capabilities. He also highlighted that defense exports have grown 30-fold, with several nations expressing interest in India’s BrahMos and Akash missiles.
Modi also lauded India’s progress in countering Maoist violence, stating that over 100 districts are celebrating Diwali free from Maoism, compared to 125 affected regions before 2014. “In places where Naxalites once destroyed schools and roads, new industries and highways are now being built — all thanks to the sacrifices of our security forces,” he said.
Elsewhere, Goa marked the festival with the traditional burning of Narakasura effigies, while President Droupadi Murmu extended Diwali greetings to citizens across India and abroad. In Ayodhya, CM Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi, and large crowds gathered at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Tangdhar sector, families of soldiers celebrated Diwali together along the Line of Control, where the Army also organized educational activities for children.
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