Rajnath Singh at Sherathang: Soldiers are like Diwali diyas guarding the nation
Synopsis
On Diwali, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stood at the high-altitude Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim and told soldiers they are the nation's true 'diyas' — lamps that silently guard India's borders while the rest of the country celebrates. The visit underscores the government's symbolic tradition of marking national festivals with frontline troops.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Army personnel at the Sherathang War Memorial , Gangtok district, Sikkim , on 8 November 2026 — Diwali.
He compared soldiers to Diwali diyas , saying they 'silently fight darkness' and assure the country of its security from the borders.
Singh stressed that even the most advanced technology is useless 'without discipline and courage of the forces.' He referenced the National War Memorial, New Delhi , which carries the names of 2,600 martyrs .
The minister urged troops to maintain strong civil-military bonds with local communities at their postings.
He said the Sherathang War Memorial will 'continue to inspire youth and future generations.'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, 8 November 2026, compared soldiers to Diwali diyas — lamps that silently fight darkness — while addressing Army personnel at the Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim's Gangtok district, extending Diwali greetings and honouring the sacrifices of the armed forces on the festival of lights.
Rajnath's Message to the Troops
'The fact that we are able to light Diwali lamps in our homes today is because of the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers,' Rajnath Singh said during his address at the high-altitude memorial. He added: 'They laid down their lives to protect the country's security and sovereignty.'
Speaking of the reception he received at the frost-bitten terrain of Sherathang, the Defence Minister said the warmth and energy he received from the soldiers gathered there were 'difficult to express in words.' He called their smiles, enthusiasm, and spirit 'the greatest light of Diwali' for him.
Soldiers as Diyas: The Central Metaphor
Likening military personnel to the traditional clay lamp, Rajnath Singh said: 'Like a Diwali lamp that silently fights darkness, you assure the country of its security. While the nation celebrates the festival, you ensure security at the borders.' He added that 'the light emitted by you is reaching every house of the country.'
The Defence Minister also underlined that even the most advanced technology is of no use 'without discipline and courage of the forces,' stressing that a soldier's discipline is their 'biggest strength.'
Unity, Sacrifice and Civil-Military Bonds
Rajnath Singh noted that the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice at Sherathang came from different parts of India, calling this 'the true spirit and unity of India.' He emphasised that each soldier treats every Indian as family and 'never backs off from endangering their own lives for the safety of civilians.'
He also urged Army personnel to maintain a strong relationship with local civilians, noting that a soldier's 'uniform, patience and language at their place of posting create a special image of the defence forces among locals.'
War Memorials as National Conscience
Addressing the significance of the Sherathang War Memorial, the Defence Minister said such memorials 'give shape to our collective conscience.' He referenced the National War Memorial in New Delhi, which carries the names of 2,600 martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation.
'Now whenever the family members of those martyrs visit the memorial, they feel emotional, motivated as well as proud looking at the mention of their loved ones,' he said, asserting that the Sherathang memorial would serve as a similar source of pride and motivation for future visitors and generations.
With Diwali serving as the backdrop, the Defence Minister's visit to the border state of Sikkim signals continued governmental emphasis on soldier welfare and the symbolic importance of marking national festivals with frontline troops.
Point of View
But the deeper question is whether symbolic visits translate into sustained policy attention on soldier welfare, veterans' benefits, and border infrastructure. With Sikkim's strategic importance — flanked by China and Nepal — the choice of location is not incidental. What the visit communicates to Beijing and Kathmandu is at least as significant as what it communicates to voters at home.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajnath Singh say to soldiers on Diwali at Sherathang?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Army personnel at the Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim that soldiers are like Diwali diyas — lamps that silently fight darkness — and that the nation's ability to celebrate Diwali is owed to their supreme sacrifice. He called their smiles and spirit 'the greatest light of Diwali' for him.
Where is the Sherathang War Memorial?
The Sherathang War Memorial is located at high altitude in the Gangtok district of Sikkim, a strategically significant state bordering China and Nepal. Rajnath Singh visited the memorial on 8 November 2026 to extend Diwali greetings to stationed troops.
What did Rajnath Singh say about technology and discipline?
The Defence Minister underlined that even the most advanced military technology is of no use 'without discipline and courage of the forces,' calling discipline a soldier's 'biggest strength.'
How many martyrs are named at the National War Memorial in New Delhi?
According to Rajnath Singh's address, the National War Memorial in New Delhi carries the names of 2,600 martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation's security. He said family members feel 'emotional, motivated and proud' when they see their loved ones' names there.
Why does the government mark Diwali with visits to military posts?
The tradition reflects a broader effort to honour troops deployed at remote and high-altitude border posts who cannot return home during national festivals. Such visits also carry strategic and symbolic significance, particularly in sensitive border regions like Sikkim.
