Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted the country on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, and said the nation should use the festival to resolve to protect itself from external threats, and to realise the dreams and aspirations of the poor and the youth in India.
Citing recent tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Modi stressed that security is of utmost importance in the country.
"In the light of the recent life-threatening attacks on our nation by Pakistan and China, which attacked our jawans, I ask, if we do not protect them how will they protect us?" Modi said.
"On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, today, we should resolve to protecting India; today, we should resolve to protect our poor; today, the country's youth wants employment, action and access to good education-today, we should also resolve to protect their dreams. It is our continuous effort that the country and her future are safe," Modi added.
Modi, who is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Campaign Committee, kick started the party's election campaign in Hyderabad on August 11.