The operation, conducted between May 7 and 10, was India’s strong response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area. (Photo: PMO)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Diwali message to citizens, connected the festival’s spirit of righteousness with India’s recent military and social achievements. Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister said the nation not only upheld dharma (righteousness) but also avenged injustice after the Pahalgam terror attack.
“This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor,” he wrote in his letter released on Tuesday.
The operation, conducted between May 7 and 10, was India’s strong response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area.
PM Modi said this year’s Diwali is “particularly special” because lamps will be lit in many districts across the country — including remote regions that were once affected by Naxalism and Maoist terrorism.
“These are the districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated from the root,” he wrote, adding that many former rebels are now choosing peace over violence.
“In recent times, we have seen many individuals abandoning the path of violence and joining the mainstream of development, expressing faith in the Constitution of our country. This is a major achievement for the nation,” Modi said.
This message comes just days after the Prime Minister mentioned at the NDTV World Summit 2025 that more than 300 Maoist rebels surrendered within 24 hours last week — one of the largest voluntary surrenders in recent times.
PM Modi’s letter also reflected India’s growing global stature. “In a world going through multiple crises, Bharat has emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that India is on track to become the third-largest economy in the near future. He called upon citizens to take pride in the nation’s progress and contribute through discipline and dedication.
“In this journey of a 'Viksit' (Developed) and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), our primary responsibility as citizens is to fulfill our duties towards the nation,” he said.
“GST Bachat Utsav” and Reforms for the Common Citizen
Highlighting economic reforms, PM Modi pointed out that on the first day of Navratri, the government reduced GST rates, calling it a “GST Bachat Utsav” (Savings Festival).
He said, “During this 'GST Bachat Utsav', citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees.” These steps, he said, are part of broader reforms that make daily life easier and contribute to the vision of a developed India.
In his message, PM Modi urged citizens to embrace Swadeshi products and unity across cultures. He said, “Let us adopt ‘Swadeshi’ and proudly say: ‘This is Swadeshi!’ Let us promote the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. Let us respect all languages. Let us maintain cleanliness. Let us prioritize our health. Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10% and embrace Yoga.”
The Prime Minister added that such lifestyle changes and social unity would accelerate India’s transformation into a “Viksit Bharat.”
PM Modi concluded his Diwali message with a symbolic reflection on the festival’s meaning. “Deepavali also teaches us that when one lamp lights another, its light doesn’t diminish, but it grows further. With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepavali,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s letter, filled with messages of unity, reform, and resilience, blends the spirit of Diwali with the story of a confident, self-reliant India that upholds justice and spreads light — both at home and across the world.
