Happy Diwali 2021: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi Extend Diwali Greetings To Nation

To celebrate the occasion, Modi will join soldiers in the forward area of the Nowshera sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri on Thursday

Images: AFP

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended wishes to the nation on the occasion of the Diwali on Thursday. Sharing wishes on the festive occasion, Modi tweeted, "Greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish that this festival of lights brings happiness, prosperity and good fortune in your life. Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali".

To celebrate the occasion, Modi will join soldiers in the forward area of the Nowshera sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri on Thursday. Every year, PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers since he took the office in 2014. Similarly last year, the prime minister joined Indian Army at Longewala border in Jaisalmer to celebrate Diwali. 

President Ramnath Kovind also wished the people on  the occasion asking people to celebrate this festival in a clean and safe way and take a pledge to contribute in protecting the environment.

BJP leader Amit Shah also took the opportunity to express Diwali wishes to the people.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended tweeted on Diwali asking to be united, "The light of the lamp illuminates everyone without any discrimination – this is the message of Diwali."

PM Modi will be visiting Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand on Friday where he will unveil the statue, and inaugurate the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya which has been reconstructed after its destruction in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

According to the Ministry of Culture, PM Modi will also inaugurate key infrastructure projects worth Rs130 crores, including Saraswati Retaining Wall Aasthapath and Ghats, Mandakini Retaining Wall Aasthapath, Tirth Purohit Houses, and Garud Chatti bridge on river Mandakini. He is also scheduled to address a public rally during his visit.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over Rs180 crore, including the Redevelopment of Sangam Ghat, First Aid and Tourist Facilitation Centre, Admin Office and Hospital, two Guest Houses, Police Station, Command & Control Centre, Mandakini Aasthapath Queue Management and Rainshelter and Saraswati Civic Amenity Building.

One of the most popular Hindu festivals, Diwali is associated with the day when Lord Ram is believed to have returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating Ravana, and is seen as a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

(With inputs from agencies)