On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that true development is not merely about glitter and glamour (“chamak-damak”) but centers on empowering the impoverished, disadvantaged, and tribal communities. Speaking at a rally after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 1,774 crore at Sampurnanand Stadium, he highlighted the significance of uplifting the poor, Dalits, deprived, backward, tribals, as well as mothers and sisters.
During the rally, Modi announced the completion of more than 600 houses for families in Varanasi and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for the constituency. He commended the citizens of Varanasi for rejecting shortcuts and emphasized that true development requires sustained effort and a focus on the welfare of the people.
Modi took a dig at his political rivals, stating that in 2014, Varanasi faced disorder, and leaders opting for shortcuts were unable to bring about positive change. He praised the people of Varanasi for choosing the right path and highlighted the significant progress made since then.
In a separate event, Modi inaugurated a three-day seminar on the National Education Policy (NEP) and stressed the importance of work that not only corrects the present but also benefits Varanasi’s future for decades to come.
In his characteristic style, he engaged the crowd, questioning whether the ongoing work would be beneficial for future generations and whether it would attract people from across India to Varanasi. Modi emphasized the positive outcomes of long-term planning, citing benefits for farmers, laborers, traders, and the overall growth of business and tourism.
He praised the forward-thinking approach of the people of Banaras and highlighted that development is truly progressive when it extends modern facilities to places associated with faith and spirituality. Modi reiterated the importance of providing basic facilities like houses, electricity, water, and toilets to the poor, from boatmen and weavers to street vendors and the homeless.
The inauguration and foundation laying of various projects were hailed by Modi as reflections of dynamism, progressiveness, and sensibility, constituting good governance. He emphasized the ongoing festival of development in Kashi over the past eight years, showcasing a blend of heritage and modernity. Modi also spoke about the cleanliness initiative for the Ganga in Kashi and called on the people to maintain the city’s cleanliness.
Additionally, he acknowledged the success of the Kashi-Viswanath Dham corridor and its popularity, reporting over one lakh footfalls daily even during the summer heat. Modi concluded the day by inaugurating a kitchen for “Akshay Patra,” which prepares midday meals for school children.