Festival of lights Diwali is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety today. The festival, which marks the victory of good over evil, is celebrated by lighting up houses, temples and other public places. People also worship the Goddess of wealth Lakshmi on the occasion. The festival was celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka yesterday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today celebrated Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and ITBP,at Harsil, one of the remotest border posts in Uttarakhand.

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians. He said, Diwali is the festival of lights as it spreads the light of goodness and dispels fear. He said, the jawans, through their commitment and discipline, are also helping to spread the sense of security and fearlessness among the people.

Mr Modi recalled thathe has been visiting soldiers on Diwali, ever since he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of ITBP, years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The Prime Minister said, India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector. He spoke of various measures being taken for welfare of ex-servicemen, including OROP (One Rank, One Pension). He said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations. The Prime Minister offered sweets to the jawans. He also interacted with people from near by areas who had gathered to greet him on Diwali.

The Prime Minister offered prayers at Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district this morning. Mr Modi also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his Diwaligreetings. Mr Netanyahu greeted Mr Modi and the people of India on the joyous occasion.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will celebrate Diwali today at Andra La-Omkar and Anini in Arunachal Pradesh with Indian troops deployed in the forward posts.  Thehigh altitude post of Andrala Omkar is  35 to 40 kilometres away from the nearest road head. Mrs Sitharaman will also meet and interact with the families of the martyrs. She will be handing over paintings of school children tosoldiers as Diwali gifts. The Defence Minister yesterday reached Dinjan ArmyCantt in Assam. She also felicitated Veer Naaris (War Widows) and Army veteransthere.

President Ramnath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the people on Diwali. In his message, Mr Kovind said, Deepawali is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. He said,Deepawali guides people from darkness to light. Mr Kovind also urged all citizens to commit themselves to a pollution-free and safe Deepawali.

The Vice Presidentsaid, Deepawali signifies the victory of Good over Evil and reaffirms the faithin the noble qualities that Lord Rama embodied. He hoped that the festival will bring illumination, peace, prosperity and happiness in the lives of people.

In a tweet, Mr Modi hoped that the festival will bring happiness, good health and prosperity ineveryone’s lives. He hoped that the power of good and brightness will always prevail.