Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to celebrate Diwali 2025 with naval personnel in Goa, calling it a privilege to be among them. Addressing the Navy jawans at the Goa Naval Base, PM Modi remarked on the unique setting, with the ocean on one side and the immense strength of the brave soldiers on the other. He expressed that the previous night spent on INS Vikrant was beyond words, emphasizing that while the ship is made of iron, it's the spirit of the personnel that makes it formidable.
Stern Warning to Pakistan
During his address on INS Vikrant, PM Modi also conveyed a stern message to Pakistan, while he asserted that the extraordinary coordination among India's three forces compelled Pakistan to surrender in record time. Saluting the brave personnel of the armed forces, the Prime Minister stated that when a threat is real and conflict seems possible, advantage always goes to those who can fight resolutely based on their strength. He stressed the importance of India's forces remaining strong, capable, and self-reliant.
INS Vikrant: Symbol of Self-Reliance
PM Modi highlighted INS Vikrant as a significant symbol of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Made in India'. He recounted how the mere name 'Vikrant' had caused sleepless nights in Pakistan. The indigenous INS Vikrant, cutting through the ocean, reflects India's growing military prowess. He added that, on average, a new indigenous warship or submarine is inducted into the Navy every 40 days. India's defense exports have also surged more than 30 times in the last decade, largely due to defense startups and indigenous defense units.
Nearing End of Maoist Insurgency
The Prime Minister also touched upon the significant reduction in Maoist violence across the country. He mentioned that before 2014, approximately 125 districts were affected by Maoist violence, a number that has now drastically fallen to just 11, with active influence observed in only 3 of them, while he proudly stated that over 100 districts, liberated from Maoist terror, are now breathing freely and celebrating a splendid Diwali for the first time.
