On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a heartfelt letter to the nation, blending spiritual reflection with patriotic resolve. Drawing inspiration from Shri Ram’s ideals of dharma (righteousness) and valour, Modi described how modern India is upholding those same virtues through acts of national defence and collective development.
“This is the second Deepawali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice,” the Prime Minister wrote.
He went on to draw a parallel between the teachings of Shri Ram and the recent military operation ‘Sindoor’, carried out earlier this year in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. “We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor,” Modi stated, lauding the armed forces’ courage and precision.
The Prime Minister’s reference to Operation Sindoor, a multi-domain counter-terrorism mission conducted between May 7 and 10, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, underlined his message of moral clarity and national strength. The operation, executed jointly by the Indian Army and Air Force, targeted and dismantled key terror camps across the border.
By mentioning the operation in his Deepawali message, Modi positioned it as a symbol of India’s righteous struggle against injustice and terrorism, resonating deeply with the festival’s spiritual theme of victory of good over evil.
Modi said this year’s Deepawali was “particularly special” because, for the first time, lamps will be lit across districts that were once afflicted by Naxalism and Maoist terrorism. “These are the districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated from the root,” he emphasised.
He celebrated the growing number of former extremists abandoning violence and joining the mainstream of development, calling it a major national achievement. “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,” he said.
Highlighting India’s rapid growth trajectory, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the country is “on track to become the third-largest economy in the world”. He called upon citizens to view this achievement not merely as an economic milestone but as part of a collective responsibility toward nation-building.
“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,” Modi wrote.
He also praised the government’s recent economic reforms, noting how citizens benefited from lower taxes: “On the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented. During this GST Bachat Utsav (Savings Festival), citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees.”
PM Modi’s letter also carried a strong message on social discipline and national harmony, urging citizens to uphold values that strengthen India’s unity and health.
“Let us promote the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Let us respect all languages. Let us maintain cleanliness. Let us prioritise our health,” he wrote.
He added a personal appeal for healthier lifestyles: “Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10% and embrace Yoga.”
The Prime Minister’s advice echoed his broader push for ‘Swasth Bharat’ (Healthy India) and ‘Clean India’ initiatives, aligning with his long-standing emphasis on wellness, sustainability, and national integration.
Concluding his message, Modi drew a poetic parallel between the spiritual symbolism of Deepawali lamps and the values of social harmony.
“Deepawali teaches us that when one lamp lights another, its light doesn’t diminish but grows further,” he wrote.
“With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation, and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepawali.”
In his letter, PM Modi tied together the moral teachings of Shri Ram, the valour of India’s soldiers, and the citizen’s duty in nation-building, crafting a message that combined spiritual reflection with civic motivation.
His words encapsulated the essence of a new, confident India, rooted in ancient values, resilient in adversity, and determined in its pursuit of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
