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1 , 10PM Modi celebrates Diwali on INS Vikrant: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with sailors aboard INS Vikrant, India’s first domestic aircraft carrier, off the coast of Goa on Sunday evening. Calling the warship a “huge symbol of self-reliant India”, Modi maintained his tradition of celebrating the festival with the armed forces, a practice he has been following since 2014.
2 , 10Overview of Operations: While on board INS Vikrant, Modi visited the flight deck, which was equipped with MiG-29K fighter aircraft. He observed takeoffs and landings of jets on the carrier’s short runways during both day and night exercises. The Prime Minister took a close look at the pilots and crew, noting the precision and skill involved in carrier-based aviation operations.
3 , 10Cultural programme: Modi participated in a cultural program where naval personnel presented patriotic songs, including a composition celebrating the success of the Indian armed forces in Operation Sindoor. Sources said the Prime Minister was deeply impressed by the performance. He later attended a community dinner with the families of officers and sailors, known as Bara Khana.
4 , 10Morning Ceremony: On Monday morning, Modi participated in a yoga session on the carrier deck. They also witnessed naval steampasts and aerial flypasts by military aircraft. During his address, Modi distributed sweets to the personnel and praised INS Vikrant as a symbol of India’s modern naval capability and self-reliance.
5 , 10INS Vikrant’s Significance: Commissioned in 2022, INS Vikrant is India’s largest warship and second operational aircraft carrier after INS Vikramaditya. Modi highlighted its role in Operation Vermillion, noting that the indigenous carrier demonstrated India’s strategic reach and operational readiness.
6 , 10Operation Sindoor: Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir in May. Modi said the coordinated attacks involved the Army, Navy and Air Force, forcing Pakistan to immediately surrender. He particularly cited the role of INS Vikrant in establishing maritime deterrence and demonstrating the Navy’s operational capability. (PTI photo)
7 , 10Maoist counterattack: Addressing the armed forces, Modi said that India is close to ending Naxalite-Maoist terrorism. He said that in the last decade, the affected districts have reduced from 125 to only 11. More than 100 districts are now free from Maoist influence, enabling residents to celebrate Diwali safely. Modi credited these successes to the courage and dedication of the security personnel.
8 , 10Service Considerations: The Prime Minister described his night on INS Vikrant as unforgettable. He praised the energy and dedication of the Naval personnel especially during the patriotic displays. Modi said the experience has strengthened his appreciation for the sacrifices of the armed forces and said celebrating Diwali with them has made the occasion especially special.
9 , 10Naval Power: Modi appreciated the operational readiness and alertness of the Navy. He said that although the ships and aircraft themselves are formidable, it is the skill and courage of their operators that make them truly powerful. He described INS Vikrant as a living symbol of India’s military and technological strength.
10 , 10symbol of national pride: Concluding his visit, Modi described INS Vikrant as a symbol of self-reliance and India’s maritime power. He stressed the importance of the Navy’s capability in safeguarding the interests of the country and described the Diwali celebrations onboard as extremely memorable.