NE NEWS SERVICE
KOLKATA, JAN 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the Kolkata Port Trust after the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee here on Sunday.
Participating in the Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) celebrations of the historic Kolkata Port Trust at the Netaji Indoor Stadium the Prime Minister said, “It was unfortunate for the country that after Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Babasaheb Ambedkar resigned from the government, their suggestions were not implemented as they should have been.”
“I announce the renaming of the Kolkata Port Trust to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port. He is a living legend who was a leader for development and fought on the forefront for the idea of One Nation, One Constitution,” the Prime Minister announced.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 which later went on to become today’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Country’s coasts are gateways to development, our government has started the Sagarmala programme to improve connectivity,” said PM Modi.
He added, “Development of waterways has improved Kolkata Port Trust’s connectivity with industrial centres in east India, made trade easier for our neighbouring countries.”
Modi pays tribute to Swami Vivekananda at Belur Math
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary at the Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission.
Modi, who became the first Prime Minister to stay overnight at the Math in neighbouring Howrah district, woke up early on Sunday and visited the temple of Swami Vivekananda to pay respect to the spiritual leader, Mission officials said.
Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary is also observed as the National Youth Day.
The Prime Minister then visited the main temple building and paid tribute to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, they said.
The thoughts of Sri Ramakrishna emphasise on furthering harmony and compassion. He believed that a great way to serve God is to serve people, especially the poor and downtrodden.
At the Belur Math this morning, I paid tributes to Sri Ramakrishna. pic.twitter.com/Es9vPSH80q
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2020
Modi took part in the Morning Prayer meeting at the Math premises, officials said. The Prime Minister was received by senior monks of the order after he reached Belur Math on Saturday evening, taking the river route from Kolkata.
