PM Modi’s Diwali: From Presidential Greetings to Bastar’s Bravehearts
PM Modi extends Diwali greetings to former President Kovind, President Murmu, and celebrates with CoBRA jawans in Bastar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the auspicious occasion of Diwali with a series of meaningful visits, extending festive greetings to the nation's top leadership and spending quality time with the security forces guarding the country's frontiers and interiors.
Festive Greetings to the Presidency
As part of his Diwali celebrations, Prime Minister Modi met with former President Ram Nath Kovind and his family. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share the moment, the Prime Minister noted that he wished the former President and his family on the sacred occasion of the festival of lights.
In addition to his visit to the former President, PM Modi also called upon President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the two leaders exchanged warm Diwali greetings.
A Special Celebration in Bastar
Moving from the capital to the heart of Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Modi visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar. This strategic location serves as a critical training base and launch pad for counter-Naxal operations within Bastar and Abujhmad.
While millions of Indians celebrated the festival with their families, the Prime Minister chose to spend his time with the jawans. He reflected on his past experiences celebrating Diwali with soldiers in diverse terrains—from the heights of Kargil and Lepcha in the Himalayas to the coastal stretches of Sir Creek and aboard the INS Vikrant in the deep ocean.
“At the borders and within the country, the sentinels of the nation who protect the country, the brave sons of Maa Bharati, all of you are my loved ones, all of you are a part of my family,” PM Modi told the security personnel.
Marking a Historic Milestone
The Prime Minister highlighted that this particular Diwali period is exceptionally significant. He described the 2026 Diwali as a landmark moment, marking the first festival of lights following India's victory in its decades-long struggle against Maoist terror.
PM Modi emphasized that the effort to render every district Naxal-free has allowed crores of citizens to finally live without fear. He explained that his visit to Bastar was intended to convey the gratitude of 140 crore Indians to the lakhs of security personnel whose sacrifice and dedication made this achievement possible.
“Today I have come to express gratitude towards your sacrifice, dedication, and spirit of service,” the Prime Minister affirmed during his address to the forces.
The Five-Day Festive Sequence
The celebrations began on November 6 with Dhanteras, followed by Choti Diwali on November 7. The festivities culminate with the main Lakshmi Puja, followed by Govardhan Puja on November 10 and Bhai Dooj on November 11.