NE NEWS SERVICE
VARANASI, FEB 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched or laid foundation of 50 projects worth Rs 1,254 crore in Varanasi on Sunday. He also flagged off the IRCTC’s ‘Maha Kaal Express’ through video conference during his day-long visit to the city.
It will be the first overnight private train in the country to connect three Jyotirling pilgrim centres of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh.
The prime minister dedicated to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre and unveiled a 63-feet tall statue of the RSS ideologue – the tallest statue of the leader in the country.
Earlier in the day he participated in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul here and released the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and its mobile application.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath and Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa were present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister also declared opened a 430-bed super-specialty government hospital here.
67 acre acquired land to be handed over to Ram temple trust: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Central government will hand over the 67-acre land acquired in Ayodhya to the newly formed Ram Temple trust tasked to oversee the construction of a grand ‘Mandir’ at Lord Rama’s birth site.
The Centre had acquired 67 acres of land around what was earlier known as “the disputed site” in Ayodhya. The SC had directed that this land stays with the Central government until the resolution of the dispute.
“ Government has taken another big decision related to the Ram Temple (in Ayodhya). The 67-acre land acquired under the Ayodhya law will be transferred in its entirety to the newly formed Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The grandeur and divinity of the Temple built on this big piece of land will increase,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quoted saying.
PM’s statement came during his address at the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul in Varanasi on Sunday.
Modi also said that India’s identity was made through its collective tradition and culture and not defined by its rulers.
“India as a nation was never defined by who won and who lost. The concept of the nation here is formed not by ruling power but by people’s culture and traditions, it (the concept of the nation) is made by the people’s enterprise,” said the PM.
Government sweating it out to reach the last person’: Modi lists government efforts in Varanasi
The prime minister said his government’s policy was aimed to take the government’s programmes to the last person in the queue in line with Mahatama Gandhi’s philosophy.
“Our government is working tirelessly to reach the last person in the society and to bring the fruits of governance and development to him,” the PM said.
Prime Minister said his government was unlocking the heritage tourism potential in India through the development of the Ganga ghats in Varanasi and Kashi Vishwanath Dham project. He said religious sites like Sarnath were also being developed further with this objective.
“This rail service will also connect Varanasi, Kanpur, Jhansi and other places of religious importance and is a special gift for the devotees of Lord Shiva,” he said,
Rs. 12,000 crore transferred to farmers’ account
The Prime Minister said Rs 12,000 crore has been transferred directly to the accounts of Uttar Pradesh farmers.
