Prime Minister at Siachen

The Prime Minister paid a surprise visit to Siachen on Oct 23 and made it memorable for the officers and men of the
Army and Air Force by interacting with them warmly. It was the Diwali Day, and appropriately, he told them: “You make
it possible for 125 crore Indians to celebrate Diwali happily. Your dreams and responsibilities are the responsibility
of us all. The entire Nation stands shoulder to shoulder with you.”

Mr Narendra Modi met hundreds of officers and jawans at the Base camp at about 12,000 feet, and told them that he had
come unannounced but that there should be no surprise as he was with his own family. He greeted everybody he could and
shared sweets, adding he was also representing the families of those serving in Siachen.

It was Mr Modi’s first Diwali as Prime Minister, and he said it was his privilege to spend it with “partly with the
jawans at Siachen, and partly with those affected by the floods in Srinagar .” He paid rich tributes to the Indian
Army, Navy and Air Force, and recalled the immense contribution made by the Armed Forces during the recent floods
in Srinagar.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag and was received by Lt Gen B S Negi, GOC of Leh based 14 Corps.

He said one has to witness first-hand the conditions at the icy heights of Siachen to appreciate the hardship that
the jawans go through.

India
Strategic brings you a Photo Essay of the Visit.

Pix Courtesy: DPR