PM Modi Celebrates Diwali Aboard INS Vikrant, Continuing Decade-Long Tradition of Spending Festival with Armed Forces

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : For over a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned his Diwali celebration into a national ritual — a tradition that goes beyond festivities to honour the men and women guarding India’s frontiers. Every year, he marks the festival of lights not at his residence but among soldiers stationed in the nation’s most challenging terrains — from the icy heights of Siachen to the deserts of Rajasthan and the seas of the Indian Ocean.

This year, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, stationed off the Goa and Karwar coasts. The visit marked a symbolic tribute to India’s maritime might and the sailors who safeguard the nation’s blue borders.

Standing on the deck of the majestic warship, Modi addressed the officers and sailors, describing them as his extended family. “It has become my habit to celebrate Diwali with my family — and that’s why, every year, I come to celebrate Diwali with my family,” he said, drawing warm applause from the crew.

Surveying the horizon, he added with pride: “Today, on one side, I have infinite horizons and the boundless sky, and on the other side stands INS Vikrant, embodying infinite power and India’s growing strength.”

A Tradition Rooted in Compassion

The origins of this unique tradition predate Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister. In 2001, just months after taking charge as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Modi spent his first Diwali in Kutch, a region still reeling from a devastating earthquake. He chose to stand beside those in distress, setting a personal precedent for marking the festival among those who serve or suffer in the nation’s remotest corners.

In 2009, his Diwali visit to Nathu La, along the Indo-China border, further defined his philosophy. Writing in the visitor’s book, Modi described the soldiers’ service as a form of “sadhana” (spiritual striving) and “tapasya” (penance). His message concluded with a heartfelt assurance — “Always by your side.”

“To the brave soldiers devoted to our Motherland, my warm Diwali greetings. Your duty is not just service; it is sadhana, it is tapasya. May the Almighty bless you and your families with happiness, peace, and fulfilment. Always by your side. Narendra Modi. Diwali. 16 October 2009.”

A Decade of Diwali with the Forces

Since assuming office as Prime Minister in 2014, Modi has consistently honoured this promise, turning his annual Diwali visits into a hallmark of his leadership. Each year, he carefully selects locations that represent India’s strategic and geographical diversity — from snow-clad borders to coastal command posts.

• 2014: Siachen Glacier – the world’s highest battlefield
• 2015: Punjab border
• 2016: Sumdoh near the Indo-China border in Himachal Pradesh
• 2017: Gurez sector in North Kashmir
• 2018: Harsil in Uttarakhand
• 2019: Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir
• 2020: Longewala in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert
• 2021: Nowshera in Jammu & Kashmir
• 2022: Kargil in Ladakh
• 2023: Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh
• 2024: Sir Creek in Gujarat

Each visit has carried a message of solidarity, national pride, and deep respect for the armed forces.

This year’s celebration aboard the INS Vikrant broadened the canvas of this tradition to the maritime domain, reflecting India’s growing focus on naval strength and oceanic security. It was also the first time a Prime Minister celebrated Diwali aboard an operational aircraft carrier — a moment that resonated strongly with both the Navy and the nation.

A Symbol of Connection and Morale

Beyond the symbolism, the Prime Minister’s Diwali visits serve as a powerful morale booster. They convey the message that the nation’s gratitude extends directly from the highest office to every soldier, sailor, and airman stationed in distant or difficult terrains.

For those serving far from home, Modi’s presence brings warmth and recognition during a festival typically spent with family. The tradition humanises leadership and reinforces a shared sense of national unity — that every uniformed guardian is part of the larger Indian family.

As the evening lights shimmered off the sea and the towering silhouette of INS Vikrant glowed against the twilight, the celebration reflected both pride and poignancy — a reminder that Diwali’s true spirit lies not just in illumination, but in gratitude, duty, and the light of service.