PM visit brings ancient Chola capital into national spotlight
For, this is first time in history that an incumbent Prime Minister has visited the town. The significance of the visit reflected in the grand welcome people of Ariyalur accorded the PM during his 2-km road show from the helipad near the Cholagangam lake to the Brihadeeswarar temple.
Residents of Ariyalur called it a historic and emotional moment, and expressed happiness that the town has finally received national attention. The PM's visit not only honoured the legacy of the great Chola king but also brought a new sense of identity and pride to the people of Ariyalur.
As his convoy passed, Modi waved to the cheering crowds lined up on both sides of the road. Many took selfies holding banners and posters of the Prime Minister.
Speaking to TNIE, R Selvambal from Meensurutti said, 'I came with my family to see him. Until now, we had only seen him in newspapers and on television. But this is the first time something like this has happened here. It was a proud moment for us.'
C Muniyasamy from Jayankondam said, 'For a long time, Ariyalur has been considered a backward district. But today, with this visit, we feel included on the national map. It gives us hope that more recognition and development will come to our region.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Assam farmers get Rs 422-crore central aid
Dibrugarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday disbursed the 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Varanasi, channelling Rs 20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.7 crore farmers across the nation. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, virtually joined the PM from Dibrugarh, witnessing a significant moment for Assam's farming community as nearly 20.31 lakh farmers in the state received Rs 422.05 crore in direct income support. "PM Modi is a visionary for empowering the farmers and boosting the economy with Krishak Shakti. PM-KISAN isn't just financial aid – it's the foundation of a new era where farmers are active partners in national progress," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Operation Sindoor' Succeeded with Mahadev's Blessings: Narendra Modi
Justice for Pahalgam incident fulfils my promise to Kashi's daughters: PM If Pakistan repeats its mistakes, UP-made missiles will wipe out terrorists: PM When faced with terror, India becomes fierce like Shiva: PM on 'Operation Sindoor' New India will hunt down enemies even in the Netherworld: PM Modi Terror camps in Pakistan reduced to ruins; many airbases still in ICU: Prime Minister Success of Operation Sindoor giving some people a stomachache: PM Terror kingpins cry, so do Congress and SP over terrorists' fate: PM Modi New India worships Bholenath, turns Kaal Bhairav against enemies: PM Modi Varanasi, August 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a massive public gathering at Banauli village in Sevapuri on Saturday, dedicated the success of Operation Sindoor to Lord Mahadev. Marking his first visit to Kashi since the operation, he said the mission succeeded only with Mahadev's blessings. Recalling the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives, PM Modi said the grief of the victims' families, especially their daughters and children, deeply moved him. He shared that he had prayed to Baba Vishwanath for strength for the bereaved families and had vowed before the people of Kashi to avenge their pain—'the sindoor of our daughters'—a vow he now considers fulfilled. During his address, PM Modi also hit out at the Congress and Samajwadi Party for their "baseless statements" on the operation, asserting that such actions only strengthen the resolve of a united and self-reliant India. Amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his address with 'Namah Parvati Pataye Har Har Mahadev' before a massive crowd in Kashi on Saturday. Speaking in Bhojpuri, he said, 'In the holy month of Sawan, I am blessed to meet my Kashi family. I salute every family of Kashi.' Highlighting the significance of the occasion, he noted that Kashi is today connected with lakhs of farmers across the nation, and there can be no greater fortune than addressing them from such a sacred land during this auspicious month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Lord Shiva represents welfare, but assumes a fierce form when faced with terror and injustice. 'The world witnessed this fierce form of India during Operation Sindoor,' he said, warning that 'whoever attacks India will not survive—even in hell.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the success of Operation Sindoor to the unity of 140 crore Indians, calling it the foundation of India's strength. 'This unity sparks a new consciousness each time,' he said, asking the crowd if they weren't proud of India's might and the operation's success. He highlighted the precision strikes by Indian drones and missiles that reduced terror hideouts to rubble, adding that many of Pakistan's airbases 'are still in the ICU.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the opposition, saying some in the country are having a 'stomach ache' over the success of Operation Sindoor. 'Congress, its allies, and friends can't digest that India destroyed Pakistan's terror bases. Pakistan's sorrow is understandable—but why are Congress and SP sharing their grief?' he asked. He added, 'On one side, the king of terror cries; on the other, Congress and SP weep over the condition of terrorists.' Accusing Congress of insulting the armed forces, he said the party is calling Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha'. 'Tell me—can sindoor ever be a tamasha? Calling our army's valour and our daughters' honour a spectacle is shameful and will not be tolerated,' he asserted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a sharp dig at the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of indulging in vote bank and appeasement politics. Referring to SP leaders' remarks in Parliament questioning the timing of action against the Pahalgam terrorists, he said, 'Should I call them and ask—should we kill terrorists or not? Should we wait to eliminate them?' He reminded the public that during SP's rule in Uttar Pradesh, the party had withdrawn cases against those accused in bomb blasts and given clean chits to terrorists. 'They have a problem with the killing of terrorists and even with the name—Operation Sindoor,' he ad Announcing from the sacred land of Kashi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, 'This is a new India—one that worships Bholenath, but turns into Kaal Bhairav when faced with the enemies of the nation.' Highlighting India's growing self-reliance in defense, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world witnessed the strength of indigenous weapons during Operation Sindoor. 'Our air defense systems, missiles, and drones have showcased the power of a self-reliant India,' he said, adding that 'the fear of BrahMos has shaken every enemy—its sound keeps Pakistan awake at night.' Expressing pride as an MP from Uttar Pradesh, the PM announced that BrahMos missiles will soon be manufactured in Lucknow. 'Weapons made in the UP Defense Corridor will become the backbone of India's military strength,' he said, asking the crowd if they felt proud of India's self-reliant defense capabilities. Issuing a stern warning, he declared, 'If Pakistan dares to repeat its mistakes, missiles made in UP will wipe out terrorists.'
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Amid tariff war, Modi calls for embracing swadeshi
Amid the ongoing tariff war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on citizens to adopt the spirit of 'swadeshi' and support locally-made products, stressing that true service to the nation lies in promoting indigenous goods, especially amid 'global economic uncertainties'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath upon the former's arrival to address a public meeting, in Varanasi on Saturday. (PTI PHOTO) He also invoked Lord Shiva's 'Rudra roop' (fierce form) to describe India's resolute action against terrorism, saying Operation Sindoor showcased the country's strength to the world and delivered a clear message that anyone who dares attack India will not be spared, not even in 'Pataal Lok'. He dedicated the success of the operation 'at the feet of Mahadev'. He was addressing a public meeting in Banauli village of Sewapuri area of his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth around ₹2,200 crore. He also distributed the 20th installment of the PM KISAN Samman Nidhi worth ₹20,500 crore to over 9.70 crore eligible farmers nationwide. 'India is going to become the third largest economy in the world. It has to be vigilant about its economic interests. Welfare of farmers and small industries is paramount and the government is making every possible effort in this direction,' he asserted. 'Varanasi is a city of intellectuals', Modi said, adding, 'Today when we are discussing economic progress, I want to draw your attention to the prevailing global conditions. The global economy is currently facing multiple uncertainties and an atmosphere of instability and is surrounded by many apprehensions.' Emphasising that farmers, small industries, and employment for youth are the top-most priorities for the government, Modi said, 'The government is doing everything possible in this direction. But as citizens, we too have responsibilities.' Calling for a national movement to support local products, the prime minister said, 'This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this -- if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nation's interest and awaken the spirit of swadeshi among the people.' He also urged people to be conscious consumers, saying, 'Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves -- has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of 'Vocal for Local'.' Making a special appeal to traders and shopkeepers, the prime minister said, 'At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made in India goods will be the truest service to the country.' With the festival and wedding seasons approaching, the prime minister encouraged people to ensure that all new purchases are made in India. He recalled how many citizens changed their wedding plans from abroad to India after his earlier appeal. 'The feeling of swadeshi in every action will define our future. This will also be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Only through collective effort can we fulfil the dream of a developed India,' Modi said. First visit to Kashi after Op Sindoor The PM also said, 'I have come to Kashi for the first time after Operation Sindoor.' The prime minister accused the Congress of repeatedly insulting the valour of the armed forces and even terming 'Operation Sindoor' a 'tamasha' (spectacle). 'Can 'Sindoor' ever be a joke? They dared to insult the sacred mark of our sisters and the valour of our soldiers,' he said. 'My heart was filled with sorrow for the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack ... My promise to avenge 'Sindoor' of our daughters was fulfilled with blessings of Mahadev,' he said, adding, 'I dedicate the success of the operation at the feet of Mahadev.' The prime minister stressed that the 'unity of 140 crore countrymen' became the 'strength of Operation Sindoor'. 'Shiva means welfare, but when terrorism and injustice raise their ugly head, Mahadev takes his 'Rudra roop'. During Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed this very form of India,' the prime minister said, warning that 'whoever attacks India will not survive, even in Pataal Lok (netherworld)'. Taking a dig at the Opposition, Modi alleged that while the country was celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor, 'some people in our own country were troubled by it'. 'Congress and its allies are unable to digest the fact that India demolished terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan,' he said. 'Aren't you proud of Operation Sindoor? Aren't you proud that India destroyed terror bases (in Pakistan and PoK)?' the prime minister asked the gathering. He added, 'You all must have seen the visuals of how our drones and missiles precisely struck and reduced terrorist headquarters to rubble. 'Several air bases in Pakistan are still in ICU. While Pakistan's anguish is understandable, what's shocking is that Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders are also unable to cope with it.' Modi also attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) for questioning the timing of Operation Mahadev, in which three Pahalgam attack terrorists were killed. 'One of their leaders asked in Parliament -- 'why were the attackers of Pahalgam killed now'. Should I call and ask Samajwadi leaders whether to strike now or later? Should we wait and let the terrorists escape?' Modi asked. 'These are the same people who, during their rule in Uttar Pradesh, gave clean chits to terrorists and withdrew cases against those involved in bomb blasts,' Modi claimed, adding that such parties are now disturbed because terrorists are being eliminated. 'This is 'Naya Bharat' (New India), which worships Lord Shiva but turns Kaal Bhairav against its enemies when needed,' the prime minister said. Modi stressed that Operation Sindoor has demonstrated India's indigenous defence capabilities to the world. 'The power of our locally developed missiles, drones and air defence systems was on full display (during Operation Sindoor). Our BrahMos missile instilled such fear in the enemy that people in Pakistan can't sleep peacefully even in their dreams.' Expressing pride as an MP from Uttar Pradesh, the PM announced that BrahMos missiles will soon be manufactured in Lucknow. The BrahMos unit in Lucknow was inaugurated on May 11. 'Weapons made in the UP Defence Corridor will become the backbone of India's military strength,' he said, asking the crowd if they felt proud of India's self-reliant defence capabilities. Issuing a stern warning, he declared, 'If Pakistan dares to repeat its mistakes, missiles made in UP will wipe out terrorists.' Launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Operation Sindoor showcased calibrated, tri-services action targeting terror hideouts in Pakistan.
