THE Indian defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Sunday (24) joined soldiers of the Indian Army in Leh in the Himalayan Union Territory of Ladakh to celebrate Holi, the festival of colours. He commended the soldiers for their dedication in safeguarding the nation against adversaries despite facing harsh weather conditions.
Originally scheduled to visit Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, Singh had to cancel his trip due to unfavourable weather conditions. During his visit to Leh, he was accompanied by the Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande.
Addressing the soldiers after celebrating the festival of colours during which he greeted the soldiers with 'gulal' (powder colour) tilak, Singh said Ladakh is the national capital of courage and bravery.
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He later posted of his celebration with the soldiers on X and said, "Delighted to celebrate Holi with the soldiers of Indian Armed Forces in Leh, Ladakh."
"Like we have the national capital in Delhi, the economic capital in Mumbai, and the technological capital in Bengaluru, similarly Ladakh is India's capital of courage and bravery.
"When everyone wants to hide in their homes due to extreme weather conditions, you stand up to protect the country from its enemies with unwavering willpower," he said.
Read: Pakistan bans Holi celebrations in universities to prevent ‘Islamic identity’s erosion’
The country will always be indebted to the soldiers for their devotion and service, the minister said.
"You are doing divine work. You are ready to fire at the enemy and take a bullet to your chest and it is due to this that the people of the country can celebrate Holi peacefully," he said.
"I feel that all of you, while protecting us from the enemies, are no less than protector gods for us," he told the soldiers.
Singh reiterated the government led by prime minister Narendra Modi is committed to the welfare of the armed forces and their families.
"It is our duty to take care of you, your children and parents. Our government is always working for the forces of the country with the same zeal with which you are working for this country," he said.
When he took over as the defence minister five years ago, Singh said, he visited Siachen first.
"Today, it was not possible to go to Siachen due to bad weather. Therefore, I wish a happy Holi to all soldiers deployed there," he said, adding that playing Holi with jawans is one of the happiest moments for him.
"We all know that there is a tradition in our country that whenever there is any auspicious occasion, we start it by worshipping our beloved God. Even when we have a feast, it is offered to God first.
"The first lamp of Diwali, the first colour of Holi, all this should be in the name of our protectors, our soldiers. Festivals should first be celebrated at the peaks of Siachen and Kargil, on sandy plains of Rajasthan and with the Navy personnel aboard the submarine in the depths of the Indian Ocean," the minister said.
(With PTI inputs)
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