NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Nov 8), visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district to celebrate Diwali with security personnel and praised their courage and sacrifices in the fight against Naxalism.
This facility serves as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in the Bastar region and Abujhmad that were once considered major strongholds of Maoist insurgency, IANS reported.
Addressing the personnel stationed at the base, Prime Minister Modi said that while people in India and around the world are celebrating the festival of lights with their families, he decided to spend the occasion with the security forces, whom he considers an integral part of his family.
"Today, millions of Indians are joyfully observing the revered festival of lights throughout the nation and across the globe.
"People are travelling from distant places to reunite with their families. This is a wonderful occasion for loved ones to come together and celebrate.
"I have also come here to join you in the Diwali festivities. Those who defend our nation at its borders and within, the protectors of our country and the courageous sons and daughters of Mother India, all of you are like family to me," he said.
During his visit, the Prime Minister emphasised his personal bond with the security personnel and highlighted the transformation witnessed in Bastar.
He has credited the security forces for their determination and sacrifices in eliminating the Naxal threat and paving the way for development.
"You are all members of my family. This time, I have arrived to celebrate Diwali in the Bastar forests. This is a territory where Naxalism used to be a significant threat.
"However, because of your sacrifice and commitment, that threat has been eliminated in this area, and a new era of development has started," Prime Minister Modi said.
Also, he described this year’s Diwali as particularly significant and said that the country was celebrating the festival at a time when its decades-long battle against Maoist violence had reached a historic milestone.
"After 40–50 years, a Diwali like this has come. This is the first Diwali when the nation has won its decades-long war against Naxalism and Maoist terror.
This is the first Diwali when every district of the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali when crores of countrymen have overcome the fear of Naxalism," he said.
Calling this a remarkable milestone for the country, he said that a significant share of the credit belonged to the security personnel.
"This is an incredible accomplishment, and a substantial amount of recognition should be attributed to you.
"It is a tribute to countless courageous individuals such as yourself, our soldiers and security forces. That is the reason I am here today to honour Diwali alongside you," he added. - The Statesman/ANN
