Diwali celebration at -20 degrees in Ladakh

New Delhi: Soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrated Diwali at a height of 17,000 feet in sub-zero temperature of Ladakh. Jawans of the paramilitary force, guard the country's 2,488-km-long de-factor border with China, or the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The soldiers lit diyas, performed puja followed by dancing at a post in Ladakh where the temperature is -20 degree Celcius. The temperature goes down to -40 as winter gradually sets in.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's classic 'Aao Phir Phir Diya Jalaaen', was sung in a chorus by the soldiers and dedicated it to the nation on the occasion of Diwali.

PM Modi had appealed to the nation to light a Diya on Diwali for the soldiers guarding India's post at freezing points and in desert conditions.

PM Modi continued with his tradition celebrating Diwali with the jawans and arrived in Jaisalmer's iconic Longewala today.

Last year, the PM visited J&K's Rajouri district to celebrate Diwali with soldiers guarding the LAC. Previous to that, he had visited Uttarakhand's India-China border, north Kashmir's Gurez sector, ITBP post in Himachal Pradesh, Indo-Pak border in Punjab, and Ladakh's Siachen.

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