- Defence Minister to perform Shastra Puja, share festive meal and witness joint drill near Indo-Pak border
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, SEPT 30
Carrying forward a cherished tradition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will celebrate this year’s Dussehra with soldiers at the Bhuj Military Station in Gujarat on October 1 and 2. The visit will combine festive rituals with a demonstration of India’s military preparedness along its western frontier.
On October 1, Singh will join officers and jawans for the customary Bada Khana, a special community meal that embodies the spirit of camaraderie and brotherhood within the armed forces. On Vijayadashami, October 2, he will perform the sacred Shastra Puja at the Bhuj Military Base, honouring the timeless Indian tradition of worshipping weapons as symbols of strength, duty and protection.
The celebration at Bhuj carries added significance given the station’s strategic importance on the India-Pakistan border. Over the years, it has played a decisive role in major operations such as Operation Sindoor and has been pivotal in countering cross-border drone threats.
Following the puja, the Defence Minister will witness a large-scale multi-agency exercise at Lakki Nala, showcasing the joint might of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and other security agencies. The drill will reflect India’s vigilance and preparedness even as the festival underlines victory of good over evil.
Rajnath Singh has made it a practice to mark Dussehra with frontline troops, just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers at the nation’s borders. Together, these traditions highlight the government’s commitment to honouring the armed forces while upholding India’s cultural ethos.
