P.V.Anandpadmanabhan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi catches to celebrate Diwali with the jawans posted at Siachen, and partly with those affected by the floods in Srinagar.

Modi today made a surprise visit to Siachen. Addressing officers and jawans at Siachen Base Camp at a height of over 12,000 feet, he praised their valor and courage, saying that 125 crore Indians could celebrate Diwali today, and go about their lives in comfort, because the jawans stood guard at the borders, prepared to make every sacrifice for the nation. The nation is proud of all the three wings of the armed forces, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister said he had come unannounced, and the jawans may be surprised, but one does not need to announce arrival when coming to one's own (family).

The Prime Minister said the jawans at Siachen worked in one of the remotest places in the world. It is a rare opportunity to be called upon to defend the country in such difficult conditions, he said.

Modi said that he comes to Siachen as a representative of the family members of the jawans who are busy serving Mother India on the borders.

The Prime Minister said the Indian Armed Forces were unique – because while they spelt trouble for the enemy on the battlefield, they spelt life for all the countrymen affected by disasters or natural calamities. He recalled their contribution in the floods that inundated Srinagar a couple of months back.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the fact that women too were now contributing to the Indian Armed Forces in a significant way.

Sharing the pain and anguish of those who lose their loved ones in these difficult conditions, the Prime Minister said sometimes a body is found years later, and many still wait. He said one has to witness first-hand, the conditions at Siachen to appreciate the hardship that the jawans go through.

The Prime Minister assured the jawans that wherever they are, and serving or retired, the country stands shoulder to shoulder with them. He said their dreams and responsibilities are the entire country's responsibility. He swore to do his utmost to ensure a life of dignity for them.

Modi said the promise of One Rank, One Pension had been fulfilled, and preparations were being made for a National War Memorial, that we could all be proud of.

He wished the entire country "Happy Diwali" from the icy heights of Siachen, adding that as countrymen light diyas today, they should recall that the warmth of the earthen lamps has been fuelled by the sweat and toil of the jawans of the Indian Armed Forces. Let those jawans inspire the rest of the country to work towards achieving the dreams and aspirations of the common man, he added.

The Prime Minister later handed over a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh for the welfare of the jawans, and personally offered sweets to them. He wrote in the visitors' book, saying that the soldiers in uniform who guarded the nation's frontiers in such difficult conditions were no less than 'rishis' and sages. He was at Siachen Base Camp for over an hour.