Bastar (Chhattisgarh). Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Sunday and celebrated the festival of Diwali with security forces personnel. During this, he fed sweets to the soldiers and shared the happiness of the festival with them. Praising the action and contribution of the security forces against Naxalism, the Prime Minister said that Naxalism has now become a thing of the past. The entire credit for celebrating Diwali in Bastar goes to the security forces. Now is the time to advance the development and prosperity of the region.
Prime Minister Modi also shared his feelings on social media platform X on the occasion of Diwali. He wrote, “Diwali in Bastar and full credit for it goes to our security forces. Naxalism has now become a thing of the past. Now the way forward is development. Today was a special day and will always be remembered.”
Celebrating Diwali with the soldiers, the Prime Minister said that the success achieved by the security forces in the fight against Naxalism should not be seen as the achievement of a single operation. This is a strong foundation towards achieving the country's major national goals. He said that the success against Naxalism and poverty has given the country an opportunity to take a new flight. On this basis, India can fulfill the dreams which many generations have cherished for a long time.
The Prime Minister said that these dreams of the country include the aspirations of those freedom fighters who made countless sacrifices for freedom. These also include the dreams of those brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland while protecting the country's borders. Along with this, the country will always remember the contribution of those brave soldiers who lost their lives in the fight against Naxalism and terrorism.
He said that now the time has come to convert the inspiration from these sacrifices and successes into a new national resolve. Now is the time to live for the country and take India to new heights. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India has the capability to achieve whatever goals it has resolved to achieve.
Example given of Article 370 and vaccination campaign
Referring to the achievements of the country in his address, Prime Minister Modi said that India has fulfilled many such resolutions, which were once considered difficult. He gave the example of removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, construction of toilets in every house and expansion of vaccination campaign. He said that these actions have proved that big goals can be achieved with collective will and determination.
The Prime Minister said that today the country is moving towards ending poverty, creating a drug-free India, a developed India and a self-reliant India. He expressed confidence that the country will definitely achieve all these goals.
Bastar will move forward on the path of development
The Prime Minister especially underlined the contribution of the security forces by celebrating Diwali with the soldiers in Bastar. He said that after the success against Naxalism, there is a need to give new impetus to development, peace and prosperity in the region. New possibilities for development are now being created in the areas where the atmosphere of fear has reduced due to the sacrifice and struggle of the security forces.
While celebrating the festival with the soldiers, he gave the message that the country will always remember their services and sacrifices. He also called upon all citizens to contribute in building a developed and self-reliant India.