For kanwariyas' ease, PM Modi bows to KVT from afar
kanwariyas
and pilgrims and instead bowed his head in the direction of the deities from Kalikadham.
Addressing a crowd at the Kalikadham public meeting venue on Saturday morning, Modi said in Bhojpuri, "Sawan ke pawan mahine me humke apne parivar ke logan se miley ka avasar milal hao" (I got the opportunity to meet my family in the auspicious month of Shrawan). Visiting Kashi for the first time after Operation Sindoor, I wished to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath and Markandeya Mahadev temples." Modi mentioned how Kashi exhibited divine images like thousands of Yadav Bandhus carrying Ganga water in urns from Gauri Kedareshwar Ghat to offer to Lord Vishwanath on first Monday of Shrawan to the beats of 'damru' (pellet drum).
Modi recalled his recent visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tamil Nadu, saying that a thousand years ago, King Rajendra Chola ensured the construction of a centre of the Shaiva tradition. The king ensured Jalabhishek of the deity with Ganga water from Kashi, which united India's north and south. "It was Rajendra Chola's vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', which is being carried forward through initiatives like Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, igniting spirit of unity in the country, leading to success of missions like Operation Sindoor," he said, adding that unity of 140 crore Indians was the strength of the surgical strike by the Forces.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You)
Container House | Search ads
Search Now
Undo
Highlighting how UP transformed under BJP govt regime, putting a check on criminals and mafia and rapid industrial development by attracting major national and international companies to invest in the state, he contrasted the current scenario with previous regime, in which "criminals operated fearlessly and investors were hesitant to enter the state". Congratulating UP govt for accelerating the pace of development, he said process of development of Varanasi will continue.
About projects for which he had laid foundation, Modi cited a new rail overbridge, initiatives under Jal Jeevan Mission, reconstruction of schools in Varanasi, construction of a homeopathic college and efforts to preserve legacy of Munshi Premchand. He praised state govt for beautifying Kalika Dham by improving access to the temple and recalled Sevapuri's revolutionary history, noting its contribution to the freedom struggle.Through projects like Chandpur–Bhadohi Road, weavers of Varanasi were now being connected with those of Bhadohi, he said, will benefit artisans of Banarasi silk and craftsmen of Bhadohi.
PM launches Sansad Khel website
He launched website, registration portal and QR code for Kashi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita. Referring to recently held Sansad Tourist Guide Competition, he said such events helped develop skills through competition. He also announced upcoming events like Kashi Sansad Photography Competition and Sansad Employment Fair.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Friendship Day wishes
,
messages
and
quotes
!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi to Manila direct flights set to begin on October 1, says MEA
In a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines, direct flights from Delhi to Manila are expected to commence operations from October 1 this year, the Ministry of External Affairs stated on Tuesday. President Marcos announced visa-free entry privileges for Indian tourists, while PM Modi reciprocated with a similar scheme for Filipino tourists.(Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times) During a special press briefing on the occasion of the state visit of the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, to India, the MEA indicated that the two countries are exploring possibilities of expanding air links to additional destinations shortly to provide a strong impetus to tourism, business, and people-to-people contacts between the two countries. "Direct Air India flight connectivity from Delhi to Manila will be operational from the 1st of October to the Philippines, hopefully. Further discussions on destinations and how to expand will be further," the MEA stated. Earlier today, during the joint press statement, President Marcos announced visa-free entry privileges for Indian tourists, while PM Modi reciprocated with a similar scheme for Filipino tourists. "I reiterated our introduction of visa-free entry privileges and extended our invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines. I thank Prime Minister Modi in turn for the introduction of a scheme to grant visas free of charge to Filipino tourists travelling to India. We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and have renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision, noting that India has also agreed to offer free e-visas to tourists from the Philippines. "We welcome the Philippines' decision to allow visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India has also decided to allow free e-visas for the Philippines' tourists. This year, work will be done regarding direct flights between India and Manila," PM Modi stated. The Philippines' President is on a five-day visit to India from August 4 to August 8. The visit marked a new era of closer engagement between the Philippines and India, with both nations poised to enhance their cooperation in various areas. President Marcos will also be meeting with President Droupadi Murmu later in the day.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Punjab land pooling policy: Dissent grows in AAP; talk to farmers, says CM Mann's cousin
1 2 Chandigarh/Patiala: The political storm surrounding Punjab's contentious Land Pooling Policy 2025 intensified on Tuesday, with more voices of dissent emerging from within AAP and even from individuals closely linked to chief minister Bhagwant Mann . Mann's cousin, Gian Singh Mann, on Tuesday suggested taking farmers' opinion on the policy even as AAP's kisan wing leader in Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh Lovely, resigned. "Just as the anti-sacrilege law has been sent to the standing committee for review and to seek public opinion, the same way the views of the landholders and farmers should be sought," Gian Singh posted on social media. He hails from the CM's native village Satauj in Sangrur district. Dissent is growing in the AAP ranks against the land-pooling policy that faces stiff opposition from farmers in spite of efforts to assure them that the scheme is beneficial for them. Along with Jaswant, there have been four such resignations since last week — Harmanjit Singh Brar, former AAP district president and chairman of Moga district planning board, and Gurjeet Singh Kanjhla, president of AAP's Dhuri unit, and Tapinder Singh Jodhan, a block president. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Harmanjit gave up his post but remained in the party. Former OSD to the CM, Onkar Singh, also alleged that the policy was crafted to "encroach on farmlands for personal gains." He tweeted that the policy was "made by Delhi people". "People of Punjab have never bowed before Delhi, and they never will," Onkar Singh said. Both Onkar Singh and Gian Singh Mann could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts. In a social media post, Jaswant wrote, "I am the district vice-president of the Farmer's Wing of Aam Aadmi Party. I am resigning from my post to protest the decisions the party has been taking recently, which go against the sentiments of people, especially land pooling policy. I hope the party will reconsider its decisions." "I request my companions to stand with our farmer brothers. Govts and positions are very small things; this is the time to write history… It is in your hands whether you want to become a son of Punjab or a son of Delhi," he added.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Riders fume as wait for 2.6km E-W stretch stretches beyond 3 months
1 2 Kolkata: The commuter frustration over the inordinate delay in commissioning the 2.6-km stretch of East-West Metro, connecting the two disjointed sections — Sector V-Sealdah and Esplanade-Howrah Maidan — is turning into anger. People are questioning the rationale of an already long-delayed project being intentionally kept on hold by Metro Railway officials despite its completion more than three months earlier. The frustration has become more pronounced in recent weeks as commuters endure punishing road conditions — pothole-ridden thoroughfares, waterlogged lanes, and prolonged traffic snarls — to travel along the stretch. Some of these commuters have taken to social media, questioning why there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the crucial Sealdah-Esplanade section, although the project was approved for revenue operations on April 28. On Tuesday, singer-composer Shruti Pathak, who is running a campaign for the metro line's launch, posted on her X handle: "Day 12 of asking for the Esplanade-Sealdah metro to open. 12 days. 12 sincere requests. Still no action. We need this metro to run — not just for convenience, but for dignity." She has tagged @PMOIndia and @metrorailwaykolkata in her appeal. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The East-West Metro or Green Line will eventually span 16.6 km. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The 9.2-km Sector V-Sealdah section was opened in three phases from Feb 2020 while the 4.8-km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan was launched by PM Narendra Modi in March 2024. The first stretch ferries 45,000-odd passengers every day while the second registers nearly 55,000 daily riders, providing an under-river connection between Kolkata and Howrah. The missing link — the 2.6-km Esplanade-Sealdah corridor passing through the subsidence-prone Bowbazar — is yet to open. Metro Railway estimates that daily passenger count could reach 7 lakh once the full East-West Metro line is operational. Around mid-April, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), the project's implementer, was asked to wrap up work on the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch and be ready for an "imminent inauguration". Despite overcoming various setbacks and receiving the final authorisation for revenue services from the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) on April 28, there is yet no sign of integration of the two Green Line sections. Metro engineers admit opening the entire 16.6-km Sector V-Howrah Maidan corridor will transform the way Kolkatans travel. Chanchal Das, a Salt Lake resident, voiced a common concern: "So many years, so many deadlines missed, especially for the last section, for which several Bowbazar residents are still living in rented flats. When will we be able to zip to Howrah and also use the Esplanade interchange to access the North-South Metro?"
