Harsil, November 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited Harshil district near the India-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, a statement from his office said. Happy Diwali 2018: NASA’s Fake Image From Space on Diwali Goes Viral Again! Will Netizens Ever Stop Forwarding It?

The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. During his interaction with the jawans, he spoke of various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP).

This the fifth consecutive time that PM Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel. In 2014, the Prime Minister celebrated this auspicious festival with Army troops in Siachen. In 2015, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with BSF soldiers at the LoC near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, while in 2016, he spent it with ITBP troops in Himachal Pradesh. Last year, the Prime Minister rejoiced Diwali with jawans posted along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez.

Harshil is a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district. After celebrating jawans, PM Modi arrived at Kedarnath and offered prayers at the holy shrine. He also reviewed the progress of the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects. Ahead of his visit, 5,100 earthen lamps were lit to decorate the holy shrine. It is for the first time in the history of the famous temple that Diwali is being celebrated on such a grand scale.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2018 11:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).