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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the development and transformation of his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, also known as Kashi, and said it was a matter of pride for the entire country.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Modi congratulated the winners of the competition and said they would take the country to new heights in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ or the golden era.
“Seeing you (students) all makes me proud and gives immense satisfaction that you all will take the country to newer heights during ‘Amrit Kaal’,” he said.
He also said that Kashi, which is considered more ancient than time itself, was being empowered by the young generation responsibly.
“The young generation is responsibly enhancing the identity of Kashi, renowned as more ancient than time itself. This sight brings contentment to me, instills pride, and fosters confidence that the youth will lead the nation to greater heights in the Amrit Kaal,” he expressed.
Modi attributed the development and prosperity of Kashi to the blessings of Lord Shiva, who is the presiding deity of the city.
“You know that we are just ‘nimitt matr’ (only means). The ‘doer’ in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there is Mahadev’s blessing, that land turns prosperous just like this. Right now, Mahadev is very happy. So, with his blessings, in 10 years, Kashi saw the ‘damru’ of development playing in all directions,” he said.
He also released a coffee table book titled ‘Kashi: The Journey of Development’ that chronicles the various projects and initiatives undertaken in Varanasi in the last 10 years.
Modi said that Kashi was now being seen as a model of heritage and development and that its rich culture and knowledge were being heard all over the world.
“Kashi is the capital of all knowledge, today that power and form of Kashi is emerging again. This is a matter of pride for the whole of India. We all are just instruments, the one who does it in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there are blessings of Mahadev, that earth becomes prosperous,” he said.
Modi later performed pooja and darshan at Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali and attended a public function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas.
He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi. The projects include four laning and six laning of sections of multiple highways, ROB on the Varanasi-Jaunpur rail section near Babatpur, construction of Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway Package-1, inauguration of LPG Bottling Plant by HPCL in Sewapuri and silk fabric printing common facility Centre for weavers.
Modi also laid the foundation stone of multiple projects for the beautification of Varanasi including the rejuvenation of ponds and redevelopment of parks; and for the design and development of 3-D Urban Digital map and database.
