"Forces are not mere followers of the current; they possess the ability to guide its direction ... and valour to cross the infinite" - Modi ::: PM continues to keep dates with Soldiers in borders to celebrate Diwali every year

Experts talk about two kinds of growth. Exponential and Linear. 

The first one would mean 'explosive' growth. The argument essentially comes from the fact that the term 'exponential' refers to a more sophisticated form of multiplication known as squaring. 

The Linear growth - in contrast - could be equated to 'limited' growth. In that sense it is 'the first power only'. 

Modi and the then Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat in 2017

 

(and other officers and personnel at Gurez Sector, Jammu & Kashmir) 

                            
With PM Narendra Modi in political sense or even otherwise vis-a-vis his persona -- stress has always been laid on 'exponential' growth. This is crucial as we go further in this piece. 

Narendra Modi, since becoming prime minister in 2014, has made it a point to celebrate Diwali with servicemen. He has been doing this religiously for the last 11 years.

Each year, he spends the festival among troops stationed across the country. This year (2025), Modi spent his Diwali onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the Goa-Karwar coast.

He dressed himself in a dapper dark blue navy uniform and sporting cool shades.

“The extraordinary coordination among the three services had compelled Pakistan to surrender during Operation Sindoor," he told the naval officers and the nation.

2014: He was in Siachen Glacier, Ladakh  

Wrapped in a red muffler, silver and black goggles, and hooded jacket, he praised the soldiers for allowing “1.25 billion Indians to celebrate in peace.” 

2015: PM visited Dograi and Khasa War Memorials, Amritsar, Punjab 

2016: Sumdo, Himachal Pradesh 

In 2018: He was in Harsil and Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

2019: Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir

2020: Longewala Border Post, Rajasthan

At the historic Longewala post, site of a major battle during the 1971 war that has been immortalised by Bollywood, Modi celebrated Diwali in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Surrounded by army and BSF personnel, he distributed sweets and highlighted their resilience as the nation faced an unprecedented crisis. He was seen wearing an army uniform again. This time with a yellow hat adding to the glamour.  

2021: Nowshera, Jammu & Kashmir  

2022: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir and Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 

2023: Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh  

2024: Sir Creek, Gujarat  

Refer 'The Telegraph' report

In 2024 Diwali took Modi to Sir Creek and Lakki Nala in Gujarat’s Kutch region, where he met personnel from the army, navy, air force and BSF.

Wearing a camouflage uniform, he had distributed sweets and reiterated India’s “zero compromise on territorial integrity.”

Each year, he trades festive lights for frontline lamps. The PM had stated a reason behind this already.

During his visit to Jaisalmer in 2020, Modi had said, 

"When I went to Siachen during my first year as Prime Minister in 2014, people were surprised. 

But today, everyone knows my emotions and feelings. Being among the soldiers is being among my family. 

Today, I am here to celebrate Diwali with my family."  

Sir Creek, Gujarat - 2024 

He had also said, "Whether you live on the snowy hills or in the desert, my Diwali is completed by being with you. 

I see the beauty of your faces, see the happiness on your face, then I am doubly happy.”

ends