Dehradun/Pauri, 31 October (HIST). Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Diwali with soldiers at Lansdowne Cantonment on Thursday. During this, the Chief Minister said that our motherland is safe because of the brave soldiers. Diwali lamps are lit only because of the security cover of the army on the borders. In such a situation, it is a privilege to come among them and celebrate the festival of Diwali.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated the soldiers on Diwali. The Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the War Memorial. During this, he also met soldiers, brave women and children.
Addressing the army officers, soldiers and their families, the Chief Minister said that I feel very proud to be among you all on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. It is said that a festival happens only where the family is present. Everyone celebrates together. Staying away from one's family on a festival day is in itself the height of devotion to duty. People across the country celebrating Diwali are definitely safe, it is because of our soldiers, who are deployed 24 hours a day away from home on the country's borders for the security of the country. Despite being away from your family on this important festival, there is no lack in your enthusiasm. I feel immense pleasure in being among the soldiers. Seeing the enthusiasm of all of you, new energy is flowing inside me too.
The Chief Minister said that a provision has been made to increase the amount of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the martyred soldiers of Uttarakhand to Rs 50 lakh. This time Diwali is very special, because Lord Ram has returned to his home after 500 years.
The Chief Minister said that in earlier times we used to buy weapons from abroad in large numbers, but today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is becoming self-reliant and today more than 200 military equipments are being manufactured in our own country. Which is used by the Indian Army.
Brigadier Vinod Singh Negi said that many welfare schemes of the state have been made keeping in mind the interest of the soldiers. For this he expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister. Thanking the state government, he said that the amount given by the government to the dependents of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
On this occasion, Lansdowne MLA Mahant Dilip Rawat, Uttarakhand Gau Seva Commission Chairman Rajendra Anthwal, Brigadier Vinod Singh Negi, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan, SSP Lokeshwar Singh, army officers and soldiers were present.