New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Diwali this year in an extraordinary setting — aboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, surrounded by India’s naval warriors. In a stirring address that blended emotion with national pride, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival of lights with the country’s armed forces, calling them his “family” and praising their unparalleled courage and dedication.
Against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea, Modi described the experience as “unforgettable” and “extraordinary.” With the ocean on one side and the might of India’s defence personnel on the other, the Prime Minister said the moment represented the strength and spirit of Maa Bharati — Mother India herself.
“The sparkle of sunlight on the sea is like the Deepavali lamps lit by our brave soldiers,” Modi said, addressing Navy personnel on board. “It is my great fortune to celebrate this sacred festival of Diwali among the warriors who protect our nation.”
A Night Among Warriors
Reflecting on the previous night he spent aboard the warship, Modi described it as an experience beyond words. He said he could feel the “heartbeat and sparkle” of India’s naval forces and the deep sense of contentment it brought him. “Perhaps for the first time, I slept early,” he joked, “because I slept peacefully, filled with pride after spending the day with you.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that while ships and submarines may be made of steel, it is the “spirit and passion of soldiers” that make them truly invincible. “When you step aboard them, they become living forces of valour,” he said.
INS Vikrant: Symbol of Self-Reliance
Modi described INS Vikrant as not merely a warship but a “symbol of India’s hard work, talent, and self-reliance.” He recalled the moment the vessel was commissioned, when the Navy adopted a new ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, discarding colonial symbols.
“INS Vikrant stands as a powerful symbol of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Made in India’,” he declared, adding that even the mention of the ship’s name “sends shockwaves through Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister credited India’s rapid progress in defence manufacturing to the armed forces’ commitment to self-reliance. Over the past decade, defence production has tripled, crossing a record ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024. “Since 2014, our Navy has received more than 40 indigenous warships and submarines,” Modi said proudly. “Today, one new ship or submarine joins the Navy every 40 days!”
Defence Export Powerhouse
Modi noted that India’s missile systems such as BrahMos and Akash proved their capability during recent operations and have gained international attention. “Many nations now want to buy these weapons,” he said. “Our defence exports have grown thirtyfold in the last ten years.”
He credited India’s startups and indigenous manufacturers for this transformation, saying they had become the “new face of innovation and strength in national defence.”
Global Guardian of the Indian Ocean
Highlighting the Navy’s strategic importance, Modi said India’s naval forces play a vital role in securing global maritime trade routes. “Two-thirds of the world’s oil and half of global container shipments pass through the Indian Ocean,” he noted. “Our Navy is the sentinel of these routes.”
The Prime Minister praised India’s humanitarian missions — from Operation Neer in the Maldives (2014) to relief efforts in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Madagascar. “From Africa to Southeast Asia, the world now sees India as a true global friend in times of disaster,” he said.
Tri-Service Bravery and Coordination
Modi saluted the collective strength of India’s armed forces — the Navy, Air Force, and Army — for their coordination during Operation Sindoor, which led to Pakistan’s rapid surrender. He also lauded the Coast Guard, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, and intelligence agencies for their round-the-clock service.
“From scorching deserts to icy glaciers, our soldiers stand like an unbreakable wall,” he said. “Their courage safeguards not just our borders but the very soul of the nation.”
Victory Over Maoist Terror
In one of the most significant announcements of his speech, the Prime Minister declared that India was on the verge of complete freedom from Maoist terrorism. He said that before 2014, Maoist influence spread across 125 districts. “Today, that number has dropped to just 11, and only 3 districts still show signs of activity,” he said.
“This success belongs to the courage and sacrifice of our police and security forces,” he said, noting that many personnel fought with minimal resources yet displayed unmatched bravery. “They have turned zones of fear into zones of freedom.”
He described how areas once paralysed by violence now flourish with roads, schools, hospitals, and industries. “People who once carried rifles are now holding the Constitution,” he said. “They are participating in the GST Bachat Utsav, buying and selling with pride.”
Faith, Progress, and National Pride
The Prime Minister painted a picture of a resurgent India — a nation moving from despair to determination. “From the land to the skies, what was once unimaginable is now happening before our eyes,” he said. “This progress reflects the collective faith of 140 crore Indians.”
Modi described the armed forces as those who “do not flow with the current but have the power to change its direction.” Their courage, he said, turns mountain peaks into symbols of victory and ocean waves into chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”
A Diwali Message for Every Indian
As the celebration drew to a close, Modi’s voice rose above the roar of the sea as he led the soldiers in unison:
“Bharat Mata ki Jai! Bharat Mata ki Jai! Vande Mataram!”
In his concluding message, the Prime Minister extended his heartfelt Diwali greetings to every soldier and citizen, saying, “May your dreams take flight, may your faith remain unwavering, and may Bharat always triumph.”
As the lamps aboard INS Vikrant flickered against the twilight sky, it wasn’t just a Diwali celebration — it was a moment that captured the heartbeat of a confident, self-reliant India standing tall on the world stage.