Rajnath To Receive First Rafale Fighter Jet In France On Tuesday; Will Also Perform Shastra Puja

Singh has been performing 'Shastra Puja' for last several years including in his tenure as the Union Home Minister in the previous NDA government.

Pakistan, Economy, Rajnath Singh, Imran Khan

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will receive the first  Rafale fighter jet from France on Tuesday, the day when the Hindu festival of Dussehra is coinciding with the foundation day of the Indian Air Force. Singh , will also be performing Shastra Puja in  Paris on the occasion. Shastra Puja or Ayudha Puja is performed to worship weapons and it has been part of Dussehra celebrations in several parts of the country. Singh has been performing 'Shastra Puja' for last several years including in his tenure as the Union Home Minister in the previous NDA government. "The defence minister will perform the Shastra Puja in Paris on the occasion of Dussehra. He has been doing it for last several years including as Union Home Minister," a senior official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. After receiving the aircraft, the defence minister will take a sortie in the aircraft from a French airbase in Paris to gain first-hand experience. Though Singh will receive the first of 36 Rafale jets on Tuesday, the first batch of four aircraft will come to India only by May next year. "During his days as Home Minister, Rajnath Singh would perform Shastra pooja every Dushehra. Now as a defence Minister also, he would continue the tradition," Defence officials close to Rajnath Singh said. The Minister is leaving for Paris shortly where he is supposed to meet French President Emanuel Macron and then proceed to Bordeaux for receiving the first Rafale aircraft made for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his days as chief minister also used to perform Shastra pooja on every Dushehra of both ancient and modern arms. (With inputs from agencies)