Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the festival of Deepavali with a heartfelt message to the nation, blending the spiritual symbolism of the festival with India’s journey toward growth and unity. He called on citizens to embrace Swadeshi values, respect all languages, and participate actively in building a self-reliant, developed India. This year’s Diwali, he noted, carries a deeper meaning — coming as it does after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and amid several landmark national achievements.
Drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Ram’s ideals of righteousness and courage, Prime Minister Modi connected the festival’s light with the spirit of justice and progress. “During Operation Sindoor, Bharat not only upheld righteousness but also avenged injustice,” he wrote, referencing India’s recent military and social victories. He highlighted how lamps this year would glow in districts that have been freed from Naxalism and Maoist terrorism — a symbol of peace and transformation in areas once affected by violence. Modi praised those who have abandoned arms and embraced the path of development and faith in the Constitution, calling it a “major achievement for the nation.”
Celebrating National Progress Through the Spirit of Diwali
Modi’s Diwali letter reflected his vision of linking traditional celebrations with contemporary national progress. He described Deepavali as a festival of energy, enthusiasm, and self-reflection — a time not only to light diyas but also to illuminate India’s collective achievements. He spoke of Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s moral and strategic strength, reaffirming the country’s commitment to justice and humanity. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Highlighting India’s growth trajectory, the Prime Minister mentioned the “GST Bachat Utsav” (Savings Festival), which he said has allowed citizens to save thousands of crores through lower GST rates. He noted that these reforms have strengthened India’s economic foundations and enhanced consumer welfare. “In a world going through multiple crises, Bharat has emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity,” he added, projecting India’s imminent rise as the world’s third-largest economy. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Adopt Swadeshi and Respect All Languages
In his letter, the Prime Minister called upon citizens to rekindle India’s self-reliant spirit by adopting Swadeshi products and promoting the “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” ideal. He urged people to respect all Indian languages, keep their surroundings clean, and make health a personal priority. “Let us adopt ‘Swadeshi’ (local products) and proudly say: ‘This is Swadeshi!’ Let us promote the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. Let us maintain cleanliness, reduce oil consumption by 10%, and embrace Yoga,” he wrote, emphasising small yet impactful lifestyle changes. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
According to the Prime Minister, these collective efforts would help accelerate India’s journey toward a “Viksit (developed)” and “Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)” Bharat. He portrayed Diwali not just as a celebration of light but as a call for unity, progress, and shared responsibility. Each citizen, he said, plays a vital role in lighting the path forward for the nation. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Eradication of Naxalism and the Lighting of Hope
A noteworthy feature of the message was the emphasis on remote districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been “eradicated from the root.” For the first time, he noted, lamps would be lit in many of these districts during Deepavali, symbolising the triumph of peace, development and constitutional values. “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. This is a major achievement for the nation,” he wrote. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
By drawing a direct line from the festival’s light to national transformation, the Prime Minister sought to convey that the spiritual act of lighting diyas can also reflect socio-economic empowerment, security, and governance progress. The inclusion of formerly insurgent districts under the celebration umbrella was framed as a sign of inclusive development reaching all corners of the country. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Operation Sindoor: Symbolising Justice and Resolve
The letter prominently referenced Operation Sindoor, a military-security operation that the Prime Minister linked to the ideals of Lord Ram — courage, righteousness and the fight against injustice. “Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor,” he wrote. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
By tying this operation to the festival of Deepavali and the Ram Temple, the letter underscored the administration’s view of national security, moral governance and cultural symbolism converging. It was presented as a milestone in India’s strategic posture and a signal of active justice being carried out. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Economic Reforms and the GST Savings Festival
In the letter, the Prime Minister also pointed to economic reforms as part of the festival’s message. He noted that on the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented and the “GST Bachat Utsav” had resulted in significant savings for citizens: “During this ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ … citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees.” :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
These reforms, he suggested, reflect India’s broader ambition to become a global economic power. He added that in a period where global instability prevails, “Bharat has emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity.” The drive toward becoming the third-largest economy and building a “Viksit Bharat” framed the economic message in nationalistic terms of pride and destiny. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
The Lamp of Unity: Metaphor for Shared Growth
The closing lines of the letter return to the Diwali metaphor: “When one lamp lights another, its light doesn’t diminish, but it grows further,” Modi wrote, urging citizens to “light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity in our society and surroundings this Deepavali.” :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Here, the festival’s core ritual becomes a call to action — to spread hope, to propagate unity across linguistic, regional and cultural differences, and to contribute to a vision of a more developed and self-reliant nation. Forging personal choices—be it in buying local, reducing oil usage, doing yoga, or respecting all languages—into national purpose, the message seeks to democratise the idea of national progress. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Looking Ahead: Festival and the Future
As India prepares for a celebration marked by lights, the Prime Minister’s letter gives the festival a dual dimension: the joyous and the aspirational. It invites citizens not just to celebrate but to engage—to recognise that festivals are moments of reflection, not mere revelry. Through symbols of light, he hoped to cast a vision of a future where development, security and culture co-exist.
In this sense, Deepavali 2025 becomes a marker of transition: from ritual to reform, from festivity to responsibility, from light for one to light for all. The challenge for the nation now lies in ensuring that the glow stays bright throughout the year—and that the lamps lit in far-flung districts, in dawns of peace, continue to burn brightly in the years ahead.
Once again, Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to the nation: “Wishing you all a very Happy Deepavali.”
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About the Author:
Harshit Raj
