Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off Kashi Mahakal Express via video conferencing

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday afternoon, hours after arriving in Varanasi to inaugurate over 30 projects, Flagged off the Maha Kaal Express via video Conferencing. Before the flagging off ceremony, Modi also inaugurated the 63-feet tall statue of former Bhartiya Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya at Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre which is said to be the largest statue of the leader in the country. Media reports suggested that over 200 artisans have worked round-the-clock for the last one year to complete the statue.

While speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the statue, Modi said, “This memorial(of Deendayal Upadhyaya) which has been built here and this grand statue which has been installed will continue to inspire generations to come, the ethics and thoughts of Deen Dayal Ji will inspire.” He added, “When mother Ganga enters Kashi, she frees and spreads her two arms. A culture of religion, philosophy and spirituality has developed on one arm and the other arm, ie, service, sacrifice, dedication and penance, on the other side has been sculpted.”

“Deendayal ji’s soul always inspires us. Deendayal Upadhyay Ji showed us the path of Antyodaya. That is, the rise of those who are in the last line of society. Taking inspiration from this idea, 21st century India is working for ‘Antyodaya’,” he added, while also saying, “Work is being done to bring the last rung of development to the first place. Whether it is Purvanchal, Eastern India, North East, there are more than 100 aspirational districts of the country, unprecedented work of development is being done in every region.”

While talking about development in Varanasi, he said, “In the last 5 years, development works worth about Rs. 25 thousand crores have been completed in Varanasi district, or work is going on. After Goddess Ahilyabai Holkar, work is being done for Kashi city on such a large scale, then Mahadev’s blessing is behind that.”

Modi also touched upon the topic of $5 trillion economy. He said, “Today, when we talking about the $ 5 trillion economy in India – tourism is an important part of it. India has a huge strength of heritage tourism. All places of faith including Kashi are being developed using new technology.” He added, “All the works in Kashi Vishwanath Dham are being completed rapidly. Very soon, the divine courtyard of Baba will appear in an attractive and grand form to all of us. Similarly, a trust has been formed in Ayodhya for the construction of a grand temple on Shri Ram’s birthplace.”

PM Modi offered prayers at the Jangamwadi Math

He also offered his prayers at the Jangamwadi Math in the city. He further attended centenary celebrations of Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul. While speaking at the ceremony, Modi said, “It is a great privilege for me to come to you at the confluence of culture and Sanskrit. In the context of Baba Vishwanath, in the Ganges of Mother Ganga, there is no opportunity to become a saintly witness again and again.”

He further said, “The Veerashaiva tradition is one in which the word Veera is defined spiritually. The one who has risen above the spirit of opposition is Veershaiva. This is the reason why the Veershaiva tradition has always been urged to bring society out of hatred, opposition and disorder,” while adding, “In India, the nation has never meant who won or who lost. The nation here has been created not by power but by culture and culture, by the ability of the people living here.”

While talking about Ram Mandir, Modi said, “The theme of Shriram temple construction had been hanging in the court for decades. Now the way to the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya has been paved,” while adding, “A few days ago, the government has also announced the formation of an autonomous trust- ‘Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra’ for the construction of Ram temple. This trust will look after the construction of the grand and divine Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, on the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram and will take all decisions.”

He further said, “The government has taken another major decision related to the Ram temple. The 67 acres of land that was acquired under the Ayodhya Act will also be transferred to the entire, newly formed Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth area. When there is so much land, the grandeur and divinity of the temple will increase further.”

Adding that the government cannot alone take forward the campaigns in the country, the Prime Minister said, “Major campaigns in the country cannot be run solely by the government, for this public participation is very important. If there is an unprecedented improvement in Ganga water in the last 5-6 years, then public participation is also very important behind it.” He added, “Work on projects worth Rs 7 thousand crores has been completed under Namami Gange campaign. Work in progress on projects worth more than 21 thousand crores We are also trying to complete the projects which are underway.”

Major projects to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister

The projects that Modi will inaugurate include a 74-bed psychiatry hospital at the Banaras Hindu University. He is scheduled to make an announcement about the projects at a public function, dedicating all over 30 projects to the nation.

According to news agency ANI, PM Modi will also be inaugurating a 430-bed super speciality Government hospital at BHU.

IANS reports also suggest that the Prime Minister will also be releasing the translated version of the Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and its mobile app and will inaugurate ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ which, according to media reports is a two-day event at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul. It has been said that the event will showcase products from all over Uttar Pradesh. Modi will also interact with buyers and artisans coming from different countries of the world.