Then A Student, Gujarat Army Officer's Emotional Meeting With PM Modi After 21 Years In Kargil

PM Modi had gone to that school in October, soon after becoming the chief minister of the state.

PM Modi with Major Amit during Diwali festival celebrations with members of the Armed Forces, in Kargil (Source: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Armed Forces personnel in Kargil on Monday when a young army officer presented him a photograph taken with Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. Officials said Major Amit had met Modi at Sainik School in Gujarat's Balachadi. PM Modi had gone to that school in October, soon after becoming the chief minister of the state.

"Today, they met again in Kargil and it was a very emotional meeting," an army officer told the news agency Press Trust of India.

In the picture, Amit and another student are seen taking a shield from Modi.

Following his custom of celebrating Diwali with armed forces personnel every year since becoming the Prime Minister in 2014, Modi celebrated the festival with soldiers in Kargil today.

"The armed forces are the pillar of India's security. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of atank (terror) and Kargil made it possible," PM Modi said today.

PM Modi said India's prestige has risen globally as it is successfully dealing with enemies outside and inside.

"During the Ukraine war, we saw how our national flag became a shield for our citizens stranded there. India's respect has increased across the world. It's happening because India is standing successfully against its internal & external enemies," PM Modi said in his Kargil address.

"Just like all of you are protecting us at the borders, we're working within the country to fight evils like terrorism, 'Naxalwaad', corruption. 'Naxalwaad' had taken a huge part of the nation in its grasp, but today that stretch is rapidly decreasing," Prime Minister said.

"When India's strength rises, it also gives rise to the possibility of global peace and prosperity," PM Modi added.

Prime Minister said that India is not a proponent of war, however, it does believe in a show of strength if required.