Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Diwali with Indian Army personnel deployed in the forward areas of Sikkim on Sunday, November 8. He praised their courage, discipline and constant vigilance, saying their service allows people across the country to celebrate the festival in peace.
Singh visited Sherathang, near Nathu La, where he interacted with troops of the Trishakti Corps and paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in the service of the nation. The visit brought the festival’s message of light and hope to personnel serving in a difficult high-altitude region.
Rajnath Singh meets troops at Sherathang
During the visit, Rajnath Singh described the soldiers as the brightest lights of Diwali. He said their silent service protects homes across the country, even as they remain posted far from their families during important festivals.
Rajnath Singh praised the troops for maintaining high morale and carrying out their duties in challenging weather and terrain. He also distributed sweets and gifts among the personnel and extended Diwali greetings to them and their families.
Singh acknowledged that festivals usually bring families together. However, soldiers often set aside personal celebrations to guard the country’s borders. He said the nation would remain grateful for their commitment and sacrifice.
Rajnath Singh pays tribute to fallen soldiers
Rajnath Singh paid floral tribute at the Sherathang War Memorial. The memorial honours soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the country in the region.
Singh said war memorials preserve the memory of those who laid down their lives. Moreover, they remind future generations of the courage and commitment shown by members of the armed forces.
He described the memorial as a source of national pride and said such monuments were built to inspire the living. He also acknowledged the contribution and suffering of the families of soldiers killed in service.
The Defence Minister assured the bereaved families that the country would remember their loved ones. He said the nation remained indebted to the soldiers for their sacrifice.
The visit also highlighted the wider role of memorials in keeping military history alive. They offer families, serving personnel and visitors a place to reflect on the cost of protecting the country.
Discipline and courage remain central to service
Addressing the troops, Rajnath Singh stressed that modern equipment alone could not ensure military effectiveness. He said discipline and courage remained essential qualities for every soldier.
He urged personnel to maintain trust and goodwill with residents of Sherathang and nearby areas. Such relationships, he indicated, were important alongside the Army’s security responsibilities.
Singh also spoke about the importance of the Army’s relationship with local communities. He said the conduct, uniform, language and restraint of soldiers shaped how people viewed the armed forces.
Senior Army officers accompany the Defence Minister
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth accompanied Singh during the Sikkim visit. Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, 33 Corps General Officer Commanding Lieutenant General Man Raj Singh Mann and other senior officers were also present.
The visit followed Singh’s programme in West Bengal on the eve of Diwali. On November 7, he interacted with Indian Air Force personnel at Air Force Station Bagdogra and praised their role in safeguarding the eastern sector.
The Defence Minister’s Sikkim programme focused on troops deployed near the India-China frontier. Their duties involve maintaining vigilance in a strategically important area where difficult terrain and weather add to the demands of service.
Rajnath Singh’s Diwali message to border personnel
During the interaction, Singh compared soldiers to lamps that remove darkness without seeking attention. He said their steady presence gives people across India confidence and security.
He also visited the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial in eastern Sikkim, paying respects to the Army soldier whose legacy remains closely associated with the region.
As the country celebrated Diwali, the Defence Minister’s visit offered a public acknowledgement of the personnel guarding the frontier. He urged them to sustain their discipline, courage and commitment, while assuring them that the nation values their service.
The interaction reinforced the government’s public recognition of border personnel and their families during the festival.