Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrated the festival of lights Diwali with soldiers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrated the festival of lights Diwali with soldiers. The PM was accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu in Gurez.
Addressing the soldiers, the PM said that like everyone else, he too wishes to spend Diwali with his family.Last year, PM Modi had celebrated Diwali with ITBP personnel in Uttarakhand along the Indo-China border. He had also spent some time with forces along the Punjab border and on the Siachen Glacier.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrated Diwali on Thursday with military personnel at the strategically important tri-services command on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The defence minister was received at INS Utkrosh by lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, admiral (retd) DK Joshi, and vice admiral Bimal Verma, commander-in-chief Andaman & Nicobar Command.
On arrival, she was presented a joint services Guard of Honour by the troops of Andaman & Nicobar Command.
Subsequently, during her visit to the Headquarters Andaman & Nicobar Command, the defence minister was given a comprehensive brief on the security environment and thrust areas of the Command.
In the evening, she witnessed a cultural programme. Sitharaman appreciated the work being done by the soldiers in the challenging environment and exhorted them to continue service to the nation in the highest traditions of Indian Armed Forces.
