Rama Krishna Sangem
On Deepavali festival day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20 Monday praised the Navy aboard INS Vikrant, saying the warship gave sleepless nights to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He said he felt fortunate to celebrate Diwali this year among Navy personnel aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier off the coast of Goa and Karwar.
“INS Vikrant reflects the capability of India’s armed forces. Its very name gave Pakistan sleepless nights during Operation Sindoor,” the Prime Minister said, adding that it was not just a warship, but a testimony to 21st-century India’s hard work, talent, impact and commitment.
“INS Vikrant is a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before a battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant,” he stressed.
In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks, the Navy was placed on high alert in the Arabian Sea, prompting Pakistan to issue warnings amid fears of a possible naval strike. At the heart of the deployment was INS Vikrant, accompanied by 8 to 10 warships.
This deployment marked one of the Indian Navy’s largest real-time operational movements outside routine peacetime exercises.
Living the moment
On his experience of spending the night aboard the warship, PM Modi said, “I learned the importance of living in the moment. Your dedication is so immense that I could not fully live it, but I have definitely experienced it. I can imagine how challenging it must be to live through this every day.” PM Modi also said that witnessing the deep ocean at night and the early morning sunrise made his Diwali even more special.
“Today, on one side I have infinite horizons, infinite sky, and on the other side I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers. The glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers,” he added. It may be noted that Modi since becoming the PM in 2014, has been spending Deepavali festival days with the armed forces, in different locations with different forces in the country. This time, he has chosen Goa for the occasion.
