In a proud assertion of cultural resurgence and national pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rejuvenated glory of Varanasi during his visit to the city. Addressing a gathering at the Banaras Hindu University, after the Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita prize distribution, PM Modi beamed with pride as he envisioned the youth elevating the nation throughout the ‘Amrit Kaal’, a term suggesting a golden period.
Casting the city of Varanasi in a celestial light, PM Modi humbly credited the advancements in the city to the divine will of Mahadev, whose blessings have seen Kashi (another name for Varanasi) flourish in the past decade. Varanasi, steeped in spirituality and history, has experienced an array of development initiatives that have propelled its growth. Following the ceremony, PM Modi honored the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas at the venerated Janmasthali by performing pooja and darshan, marking his reverence for the saint’s legacy.
As part of his visit, the Prime Minister’s agenda included not only cultural engagements but also anchoring the city’s development trajectory. A visit to Banas Kashi Sankul and the inauguration of a series of significant infrastructure projects, collectively worth over ₹13,000 crore, underscored his commitment. These projects spanned from highway expansions, like the six laning of certain parts, to the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway, as well as an HPCL LPG bottling plant, earmarking a transformative phase for connectivity and local industries. Further embellishing the cityscape, plans for upgrading urban spaces with park redevelopments and digital mapping were also set in motion.
The eve before these announcements, PM Modi, alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, embarked on a late-night inspection of the newly inaugurated Shivpur-Phulwaria-Lahartara Marg, a testament to the city’s infrastructural enhancement. With an investment of Rs 360 crore, the road is already easing travel by reducing the time and distance between key points across the city. In a social media post, the Prime Minister shared his insights into the impact of this project on the southern part of Varanasi, signaling the government’s ongoing efforts to improve urban mobility.
PM Modi’s visit to Varanasi was not only a testament to the ongoing transformation under his leadership but also reflective of a broader vision to promote cultural roots while forging pathways for modern development. With the multitude of projects launched, the PM set a tone of progress and reverence, integrating Varanasi’s rich heritage into the narrative of a new India in the making.