# Rajnath Singh Celebrates Diwali With Army Troops in Sikkim Defence Minister honours 1967 war heroes and interacts with soldiers at border. - **Source:** [NDTV – Top Stories](https://www.ndtv.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/74608a7b-789b-4877-a315-fc70def2552c ## Minister Visits Border Post Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at the Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim via helicopter from the Sukna Army Base in West Bengal. Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, he visited the forward sector on Sunday to celebrate Diwali with Indian Army personnel stationed along the India-China border. ## Honouring Historical Military Sacrifices During the visit, Singh paid a floral tribute at the memorial, which commemorates the soldiers who lost their lives during the 1967 Nathula and Cho La clashes with Chinese forces. He emphasized that these monuments serve as lasting inspirations for the living, ensuring that the bravery of past heroes remains etched in history. ## Symbolic Diwali Interaction The Defence Minister personally interacted with the deployed troops and fed them sweets to mark the festival of lights. He drew a parallel between the soldiers and the traditional 'diya' lamp, noting that both silently fight darkness to provide security and peace to the citizens living across the entire country. ## Discipline Over Advanced Technology Addressing the troops, Singh highlighted that while technology is essential for modern warfare, it remains redundant without the fundamental courage and discipline of the soldiers. He stated that the unwavering discipline maintained by the jawans in challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions constitutes their greatest strength in protecting the nation's borders. ## National Security and Peace Singh credited the peaceful celebration of Diwali across India directly to the dedication and sacrifices of the armed forces. He remarked that the energy and courage displayed by the soldiers present at the forward post represent the true light of the festival, providing a sense of security to every Indian home. ## Strategic Importance of Sikkim The Sherathang sector remains a sensitive and challenging area along the India-China border. By choosing this specific location for his Diwali celebrations, the Defence Minister underscored the strategic importance of the region and the high morale required by personnel maintaining an unflinching vigil in such high-altitude, difficult terrain environments. ## Leadership and Troop Morale The visit serves as a significant gesture of political and military leadership, aiming to boost the morale of personnel stationed in remote forward areas. By spending the festival with the jawans, the minister reinforces the government's commitment to the welfare and recognition of those serving in the most difficult border sectors. ## Legacy of Border Defence The event highlights the ongoing legacy of the 1967 conflicts, which remain a touchstone for Indian military history in the region. By linking historical sacrifices to current border security, the visit reinforces the continuity of national defense efforts and the enduring responsibility felt by the state toward its serving military personnel. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-celebrates-diwali-with-army-at-indo-china-border-in-sikkim-12300456#publisher=newsstand — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._