Intro: Prime Minister himself cleaned one of the Ganga banks sending clear message to all the fellow citizens that he is serious about cleaning the country’s one of the most holiest rivers.
The recent visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s to his own constituency Varanasi since taking charge as the Prime Minister of India, filled people with confidence, and they were overwhelmed by the cordial and personal touch given by him during the meetings, formal and informal. He interacted with the general public in Ravindrapuri locality of the city and held a meeting with local BJP leaders at the guest house of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW). Launching his model village project in Jayapur Village Shri Modi said that Jayapur Village was not adopted by him but it is the other way round, i.e. the village itself has adopted him, and that he is indebted to the villagers for this.
“The model village would become a model for others to emulate, when one is ready, the rest will follow,” he said. Calling himself a ‘sevak’, the Prime Minister appealed to the villagers to ensure their children wash their hands before a meal and to check the killing of the girl child.
“You may think what kind of a PM we have who talks of public participation in solving local issues, to take our children to polio booths, ensure cleanliness and the need to honour our elders or to celebrate the birthdays of our villages,” he said. “That’s the problem. So far tall talks have led to nothing. I want to do big things by getting things done the right way,” Shri Modi emphasised.
He said those who are in a sudden rush to get villages selected under the model village scheme are wrong to believe that money is going to flow into such villages. “That’s not going to happen, for this is a self-driven scheme, which doesn’t have any financial provision,” he said. The PM said he has chosen Jayapur because it was the first village he had heard of after arriving in Varanasi.
Modi said that he will work for improving the living conditions of the poor and developing the region. The PM offered prayers at Assi Ghat and then participated in the cleaning Ganga programme. He initiated the Clean Ganga Mission from Varanasi. In fact, the Prime Minister went ahead and cleaned one of the Ganga banks sending clear message to all the fellow citizens that he is serious about cleaning the country’s one of the most holiest rivers.
Modi then laid the foundation stone of the Rs 200 crore Trade Facilitation Centre, spread over eight acres. He later laid the foundation of a Power Loom Service Centre and a Crafts Museum, which too will be part of the Trade Facilitation Centre. He also announced Rs 2,375 crore packages to revive ailing banks in 16 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Appreciating the expertise of textile weavers and acknowledging the employment that the sector generates, Modi called for more people to join the profession specially the younger generation. He added that the youngsters should take up the job out of pride and not compulsion. He also reminded the people of Varanasi about the rich heritage of world-renowned Banarsi Sarees. Modi said that a good market awaits it.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said this was a beginning of his dream for Varanasi. Referring to the immense potential of handicraft industry in Varanasi and eastern UP, Modi said after agriculture, the textile sector offers the maximum employment. Calling for tapping of this potential and using the craft industry strategically for availing the trade opportunities in the world, Modi said that while he will make no big announcements during his maiden visit to Varanasi but he would ensure that there is no dearth of funds for various projects which will be set rolling in the time to come. He also stressed on the need of technology upgrade and assimilation of the e-business environment in the trade arena.
—Dr Shakti Kumar Pandey from Varanasi
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