India’s top defence officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, are commemorating Diwali this year with troops stationed in strategic border locations. Singh, accompanied by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, traveled to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to celebrate the festival with soldiers guarding the Indo-China border. Their visit underscores India’s commitment to bolstering morale and honoring the military’s role in safeguarding the nation. As part of the Diwali celebrations, Singh also inaugurated the Museum of Valour, dedicated to Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing, and unveiled a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Tawang.
This annual tradition of celebrating Diwali with the armed forces was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began spending the festival with troops in 2014. Over the years, he has visited various front-line regions, from Siachen in his inaugural year as PM to Kargil last year. This Diwali, however, Modi will be in his home state of Gujarat, where he is scheduled to participate in several public events.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is joining soldiers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi will be with naval forces in Gujarat’s Porbandar. The Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, is celebrating Diwali in Jammu and Kashmir, further reflecting the top defense leadership’s outreach across the country during this festive time.
Singh’s recent activities in Tawang included performing the “Shastra Puja” (weapon worship) as part of Dussehra celebrations, where he praised the soldiers’ “unwavering commitment and unparalleled courage.” Singh also reviewed the operational readiness of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amid ongoing tensions with China, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in defence technology and increased indigenous production of military equipment to enhance India’s security capabilities.
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These visits not only recognise the sacrifices made by the armed forces but also serve to bolster India’s strategic focus in regions like Tawang, which holds significant military importance due to its proximity to the LAC and recent infrastructural advancements aimed at strengthening India’s defense readiness in border areas.
