Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday celebrated Diwali on board India's home-built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, hailing the warship for instilling fear in Pakistan, and it “gave them sleepless nights.” During his address to naval personnel, PM Modi stated, "INS Vikrant’s very name took away Pakistan’s sleep. If just its name could shake the enemy’s courage, that is INS Vikrant for you."
Among the bravest
Emphasising the privilege of celebrating the festival along with India's military forces off the coast of Goa and Karwar, the Prime Minister characterised the day as symbolic and memorable. "Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. On one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India,” he said.
INS Vikrant: A Symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
PM Modi praised the Indian Navy tradition of watchfulness and power, terming INS Vikrant a " towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. He said, "INS Vikrant, tearing through the oceans, is a reflection of India’s military might. It is not merely a warship, but a testimony to 21st-century India’s talent, impact, and commitment."
The Prime Minister also pointed out India's coordinated military power in all three forces, stating, "The fear created by the Indian Navy, the amazing skill displayed by the Indian Air Force, and the bravery of the Indian Army - the tremendous coordination of the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor."
Describing his own experience on board the warship, PM Modi stated, "The night spent yesterday on INS Vikrant is hard to put into words. I saw the immense energy and enthusiasm you all were filled with." He further said, “When I saw you singing patriotic songs and describing Operation Sindoor through your performances, I realised that no words can truly capture what a soldier feels while standing on the battlefield.”
Infinite horizons, infinite power
PM Modi, standing on the deck, said, "Today, on one side I have infinite horizons and sky, and on the other stands INS Vikrant, embodying infinite power. The glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters feels like the Diwali lamps lit by our brave soldiers.”
The Prime Minister also noted the bravery of India's military prowess, stating, " These ships may be made of iron, but when you board them, they become living, breathing forces of the armed services," the Prime Minister added. “I have been with you since yesterday, and in every moment, I have learned something. When I left Delhi, I thought I would experience this moment myself. But your hard work, penance, and dedication are on such a high level that I could not truly live it - I could only understand it. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to live this life every day.”
