Diwali in Srinagar: PM Narendra Modi's gesture to flood victims

In a gesture of support to flood victims in J-K, the PM will spend this Diwali in Srinagar. He had made a similar gesture earlier in 2001, when he, as Gujarat CM, had spent Diwali with earthquake victims in Bhuj.

In a gesture of support to flood victims in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spend this Diwali in Srinagar.

"Will be in Srinagar on Diwali, 23rd October & will spend the day with our sisters & brothers affected by the unfortunate floods," Modi tweeted on Tuesday.

Kashmir faced the worst ever flood in the last several decades, affecting more than 1.5 million people. Nearly 300 people were killed in the state and there was widespread damage to public and private properties.

The Prime Minister's move comes at a time when normalcy has returned to the state, and assembly elections look likely to be held as per schedule. The six-year term of the present assembly ends on January 19, 2015.

Modi had made this gesture earlier as well in 2001, when he, as Gujarat chief minister, spent Diwali with earthquake victims in Bhuj.