PM Modi Celebrates Diwali 2025 Aboard Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant departure from his tradition this Diwali, choosing to spend the festival aboard INS Vikrant rather than with army personnel in remote locations. During his stay on India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, the Prime Minister engaged in a comprehensive schedule that included witnessing an air-power demonstration, participating in a cultural program, and conducting a morning yoga session on deck.

The Prime Minister discreetly traveled to Goa yesterday evening before boarding INS Vikrant, which was positioned off the coast. Upon arrival, he visited the Flightdeck surrounded by MiG 29K fighters, where he observed an impressive Air Power Demonstration featuring take-offs and landings of fighter jets on the carrier's compact runway.

A cultural program followed, during which naval officers and sailors performed patriotic songs, including a specially composed piece commemorating the success of Operation Sindoor. Sources indicated that PM Modi was deeply touched by this performance. Later in the evening, he joined naval personnel and their families for dinner.

The Prime Minister began his Diwali morning with a yoga session on the carrier's deck. He subsequently witnessed a magnificent Steampast and Flypast before addressing the crew and distributing sweets to mark the festival.

Addressing the naval personnel, PM Modi expressed, "Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. Today, on one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, I have the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India."

He added, "The night spent yesterday on INS Vikrant is hard to put into words."

Referencing Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, the Prime Minister stated, "Just a few months ago, we saw that Vikrant made Pakistan sleepless."

PM Modi commended the enthusiasm of the naval forces, saying, "I saw the immense energy and enthusiasm you all were filled with. When I saw you singing patriotic songs yesterday, and the way you described Operation Sindoor in your songs, no words can ever fully convey the experience that a jawan feels standing on a battlefield."

Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has established a tradition of spending Diwali with military personnel. His visits have taken him to diverse and challenging locations, from the high-altitude region of Kargil to the Jaisalmer desert.

Last year, he celebrated Diwali at Lakki Nala in Gujarat's Kutch with Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. In 2023, he spent the festival in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh, and the previous year in Kargil.