Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Holi with Army personnel at a military station in Leh on Sunday. The minister reached Leh in the morning and laid a wreath at 'Hall of Fame'.
The defence minister was scheduled to visit Siachen as part of the celebrations on Sunday. However, he had to detour to Leh owing to inclement weather conditions in Siachen, the world's highest battlefield. Flanked by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, the defence minister extended his Holi greetings to the soldiers in Leh. He exchanged colours with the soldiers and distributed sweets among them to mark the Holi festival.
Addressing Army personnel, Singh said, “The land of Ladakh is not common. It is the land of Siachen, Kargil, Bharat Mata. Ladakh represents national determination. We know that our political capital is Delhi, our economic capital is Mumbai and our technological capital is Bengaluru. Similarly, Ladakh is the capital of bravery and prowess.”
#WATCH | Ladakh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrates #Holi with Armed Forces Personnel, at Leh Military Station. pic.twitter.com/N0J2AwbvlP
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2024
He praised the armed forces for protecting the nation despite severe cold conditions in Ladakh. He said the nation continues to flourish even as "some untoward events unfold on our borders at times”. “Credit goes to you all. Your commitment deserves all praise and applause,’’ he said. “You perform your duties despite severe cold conditions in Ladakh. The nation is highly indebted to you,” Singh added.
Addressing the armed forces after celebrating the Holi festival with the Jawans at Ladakh, he said the country continues to progress even though some untoward events occur on our borders. “Our borders are vast and spread in all directions,” he said.
Talking about his sudden change in plans, Singh said, “I wanted to celebrate the festival of colours with the soldiers at Siachen, but due to bad weather, I couldn’t make it. I am committed to that in the future.”
The minister said India is touching new heights in development as schools, hospitals, industries, temples, masjids, and shops are flourishing. “This is all possible when you are protecting the nation here. Indian citizens sleep without fear,” Singh said. He added the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to taking care of the families and children of soldiers.
-with inputs from Tariq Bhat.
