Varanasi, April 11 (UNI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said over the past 11 years, Kashi has undergone a remarkable transformation under the visionary leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister.
The CM expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting his parliamentary constituency, Kashi, for the first time after the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh.
He said, "Devotees from across the country are now thronging to witness the new, rejuvenated Kashi. This is the same Kashi once known for its narrow lanes and persistent traffic congestion. Today, it stands tall as a symbol of modern development seamlessly blending with its ancient heritage.”
Yogi said that while Kashi has always been an ancient seat of learning, its educational institutions were once in disarray. "However, over the past 11 years, developmental projects worth more than Rs 50,000 crore have been launched in the city, focusing on health, tourism, infrastructure, and connectivity," he said.
He said, "Even today, the PM is carrying out the foundation stone and inauguration ceremonies of various projects worth nearly Rs 4,000 crore in Kashi."
To mark the occasion, the CM welcomed the PM with Angavastra adorned with illustrations of Radha-Krishna’s leelas and presented him with a Kamal Chatra handcrafted from Varanasi’s GI-tagged woodcraft, a symbol of the city's rich artisanal heritage.
He highlighted that this visit marked the PM's first to Kashi following the Bharatiya Janata Party's resounding victories in the Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi Assembly elections, as well as after the successful hosting of the divine and grand Maha Kumbh.
He said, “Kashi proudly bore witness to this sacred spectacle. With over 3 crore devotees from India and abroad visiting during the 45-day event. Every pilgrim was eager to see the transformed city and pay homage at the newly rejuvenated shrine of Baba Vishwanath.”
Yogi said that the Maha Kumbh's unmatched success and grandeur were a direct result of the PM’s unwavering commitment to cleanliness, safety and cultural revitalisation.
He emphasised how initiatives like the Namami Gange project rejuvenated the sacred rivers and enhanced the spiritual experience for millions.
He said, "Every devotee who took a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati felt a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment, a testament to the transformative impact of the Prime Minister’s vision.”
The CM said that the PM’s dedicated efforts to bring national and international recognition to Kashi and UP products have yielded remarkable results.
He said, "Today, Kashi and its surrounding districts hold the highest number of GI tags, positioning Uttar Pradesh at the forefront in this domain. Further strengthening this achievement, the PM is awarding certificates for 21 new GI tags today, a significant step in promoting the unique identity of local artisans and craftsmen on both national and global platforms."
Highlighting the transformative impact of welfare schemes, Yogi said that Ayushman Bharat has emerged as a milestone in ensuring accessible healthcare for the underprivileged.
He said, "Over 50 crore people across the country, including more than 10 crore in UP, have benefited directly from the scheme. Through the Vaya Vandana Yojana, senior citizens above 70 are now entitled to free health coverage of Rs 5 lakh. In Kashi alone, over 50,000 elderly residents have received Vaya Vandana health cards."
The CM praised the Banas Dairy initiative, calling it a transformative project that has successfully linked Kashi's farmers and livestock rearers with economic empowerment. "Today, as part of this initiative, the Prime Minister distributes bonus payments to cattle rearers who have benefitted from value addition and profit-sharing through the Banas Dairy unit in Kashi," he said.
He said, "In every sphere, be it tourism, education, healthcare, connectivity, or the upliftment of farmers and artisans, these initiatives have reshaped the destiny of the people. On behalf of the people of Kashi and the entire state, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for these visionary schemes that have brought about a new era of development in his very own Kashi.”
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