Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali this year in the company of Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier and a proud symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Modi arrived in Goa on Sunday evening and boarded INS Vikrant in a discreet operation off the state’s coast. Once onboard, the Prime Minister visited the flight deck, surrounded by the formidable MiG-29K fighter jets, and witnessed their thrilling take-off and landing demonstrations—both in daylight and after sunset.
The evening featured a lively cultural programme where naval officers and sailors performed patriotic songs, including one dedicated to the success of Indian Armed Forces in Operation Sindoor. Sources said the Prime Minister was visibly moved by the performances and the passion of the personnel.
Later, Modi joined the naval community for Bara Khana, sharing dinner with officers, sailors, and their families.
On Monday morning, he participated in a yoga session on the deck and watched a grand steam-past of warships, followed by a spectacular flypast of naval aircraft. He also addressed the Navy personnel, distributed sweets, and praised their service and spirit.
“INS Vikrant is not just a warship. It is a testimony to 21st-century India's hard work, talent, impact and commitment,” Modi said during his address.
Reflecting on his experience, the Prime Minister added, “Last night spent onboard INS Vikrant is hard to put into words. I saw the immense energy and enthusiasm you all were filled with. When I saw you singing patriotic songs yesterday, and the way you described Operation Sindoor in your songs, no words can ever fully convey the experience that a jawan feels standing on a battlefield. My Diwali has been special as it was spent amongst you.”
INS Vikrant, commissioned in 2022, is a milestone in India’s maritime history. Often described as a “floating city,” it is the largest warship ever built in India and the nation’s second operational aircraft carrier after INS Vikramaditya.
Continuing a decade-long tradition since 2014, Prime Minister Modi once again marked Diwali by celebrating it among the country’s armed forces, honoring their unwavering dedication to national security.
