New Delhi. The country's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attended the traditional 'Bada Khana' event with soldiers at Sukna Military Station in Darjeeling on the eve of Diwali. Before this, he visited Bagdogra Airfield and encouraged the soldiers. While addressing the soldiers in Sukna, Rajnath Singh said that generally North-East is seen as a remote region of India but my view is different from this. I do not see the North-East as the last end of India, but as the first end of the country. This is the area where the first rays of the morning knock in India. Sunlight first touches this earth and then gradually reaches other parts of the country, hence I do not find it appropriate to call the area from where the day of India begins as the end of the country. In fact, North-East is not the end of India, but a beautiful beginning.
VIDEO | Siliguri, West Bengal: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh celebrates Diwali with Army personnel at Sukna Military Camp. (Full video available on PTI Videos –
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 7, 2026
The Defense Minister said, today war has many colors. Hybrid warfare, proxy war, cyber attacks, drone infiltration and information warfare, they all go together. Today many times the enemy does not come directly to the border, the enemy spreads rumors on social media. Monitors our sensitive places with drones. Tries to weaken our systems through cyber attacks. In such circumstances, your role is no longer just that of a warrior fighting, but your role becomes that of a vigilant sentinel, who is ready to protect your borders from every dimension. If India has to become a developed nation and have the most powerful army in the world, then for this we will have to pay attention to the technological progress of the armed forces as well as to increase their morale. The higher the morale of our forces, the higher will be the flight of India's military development.
VIDEO | Siliguri, West Bengal: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh eats dinner with Army personnel at Sukna Military Camp. (Full video available on PTI Videos –
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 7, 2026
Defense Minister gave assurance to the country's soldiers
The Defense Minister told the soldiers, the safety and respect of the family from which you are away is also the responsibility of our government. We completely understand your concerns. I assure you that your welfare and that of your family is our responsibility, and we will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling this responsibility. Today I would like to tell you one more thing, that is it is very important for you to take care of your mental health also. We all are sometimes stressed, sometimes homesick, sometimes work pressure. This is all normal, but don't suppress it. Talk openly with your colleagues. We are each other's support system. Through our efforts, we have to make our soldiers realize that the Government of India and the entire people of India are standing shoulder to shoulder with them, none of our soldiers will ever feel alone.