Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday celebrated Diwali with Army personnel deployed along the India-China border in Sikkim, saying their service in difficult conditions enabled people across the country to celebrate the festival peacefully. He paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Sherathang War Memorial near Nathu La and met troops in the forward sector.

Singh distributed sweets and gifts among the personnel and praised their courage, dedication and high morale. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and senior Army officers accompanied him during the visit.

Key points

  • Rajnath Singh visited troops at Sherathang near Nathu La on Diwali.
  • He paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Sherathang War Memorial.
  • The defence minister said soldiers' service allowed the country to celebrate Diwali peacefully.
  • Singh later visited the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir in eastern Sikkim.

What happened

Singh visited Army personnel stationed at Sherathang near Nathu La along the India-China border in Sikkim on Sunday. He interacted with troops deployed in what he described as a forward and challenging sector.

At the Sherathang War Memorial, he paid homage to soldiers who died in the line of duty. He said war memorials were a lasting tribute to personnel who had made the supreme sacrifice and would continue to inspire young Indians.

The defence minister distributed sweets and gifts among the troops as part of the Diwali visit. He later visited the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, a shrine dedicated to an Indian Army soldier in eastern Sikkim.

Singh said Diwali was a time when families came together. He said many soldiers stayed away from their loved ones to fulfil their responsibilities towards the country.

Who said what

Addressing the personnel, Singh said the country could celebrate Diwali in peace because of the sacrifices and dedication of the armed forces. He said their work in extreme weather and difficult terrain ensured security for homes across the country.

“Your service to the nation will never be forgotten. Every generation of Indians will remember your sacrifice,” Singh told the troops.

He compared the personnel to diyas, saying they silently fought darkness and spread the light of security to every home in the country. He said their vigilance, patriotism and morale remained firm despite the difficult conditions in which they served.

Singh said the country would remain indebted to personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. He said memorials commemorating them were meant to inspire the living and awaken national pride.

“India stands with you for the contribution you have made,” he said, paying tribute to the families of personnel killed in service.

He said their sacrifice would remain in the memory of a grateful nation. He extended Diwali greetings to personnel serving on the borders and their families.

Background

Sherathang is near Nathu La in Sikkim, where Army personnel are deployed along the India-China border. Singh described it as a forward and challenging sector, where troops worked in difficult terrain and extreme weather.

The Sherathang War Memorial commemorates soldiers who died in service. Singh said the memorial was a reminder of their sacrifice and would inspire future generations.

The Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, which Singh visited after meeting the troops, is dedicated to an Indian Army soldier in eastern Sikkim.

Why it matters for Assam and the Northeast

The visit took place in Sikkim, a northeastern state, in a sector along the India-China border. Singh's Diwali interaction focused on personnel deployed in the state's forward border areas and on the families of those serving there.