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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government is not only renovating temples but is also doing development work across the country. He was delivering a speech at the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.
“Today’s India is not only beautifying the Somnath temple but is also laying thousands of km of optical fiber in the sea. Today’s India is not only renovating Baba Kedarnath temple but is preparing to send Indians to space on its own strength.
“Today’s India is building not only a temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya, but also a medical college in every district. Today’s India is not only giving grand look to Baba Vishwanath Dham but is also building crores of pucca houses for the poor.
Modi is on a two-day visit to Varanasi, which is also his Lok Sabha constituency. The inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor comes weeks before the elections for its next government in Uttar Pradesh are due, with the BJP touting it as one of its major achievements.
Giving details about the temple, Modi said that earlier the complex was spread over 3,000 square feet, which has now increased to 5 lakh square feet.
“Now, 50,000 to 75,000 devotees can come to the temple and the temple premises,” he said.
Modi said that Kashi is creating history and it is our good fortune that we are present to see it.
In his address, Modi hit out at the atrocities of 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and handed over his hat to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century founder of the Maratha Empire, and 11th century Raja Suheldev. Defeated the invading army of Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masood, nephew of Mahmud Ghazni in present-day Bahraich (UP).
While India “has seen destruction by someone like Aurangzeb, it has also seen the valor of leaders like Shivaji and Raja Suheldev Ahilyabai Holkar”, Modi said.
He said that while the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb tried to destroy Kashi, Shivaji also rose.
“The tyrants attacked this city (Kashi), tried to destroy it. History is witness to Aurangzeb’s atrocities and terror, he tried to change the civilization with the help of sword… he tried to crush the culture with fanaticism,” Modi said. “But the soil of this country is somewhat different from the rest of the world.”
“If Aurangzeb comes here, a Shivaji also stands up. If any Salar Masood roams here, then brave warriors like King Suheldev make him realize the power of our unity. And even during the British era, the people of Kashi knew what had happened to Hastings.” clear reference Clash between forces sent by the then British Governor General Warren Hastings and Banaras ruler Chait Singh in 1781.
Modi also referred to the 18th century queen Ahilyabai Holkar of the Maratha Malwa Empire. who led the armies in the fight against the invaders and is credit of building Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
“When the Kashi Vishwanath temple was demolished, the temple was rebuilt by Mata Ahilyabai Holkar. His birthplace was Maharashtra and work land Indore was… I pay tribute to him. He had done a lot for Kashi 200-250 years ago.
He ended his speech with the chants of “Har Har, Mahadev”.
Modi also addressed the gathering in Bhojpuri and said that New India is proud of its culture and also has confidence in its ability.
Read also: UP elections near, Kashi Corridor inaugurated today PM Modi’s ‘message’ of BJP
3 vows
Before the inauguration, Modi reached Kashi Vishwanath temple on foot from the river Ganges. Kalash, he performed Prayer In the sanctum sanctorum before dedicating the revamp project to the nation.
Amidst slogans of “Har Har Mahadev”, Modi addressed a huge gathering and said that Kashi has seen and experienced the making and making of history.
“The inauguration of the redeveloped Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India,” Modi said.
“It will lead to a brighter future. This campus is a testimony to our potential, our duty. Nothing is impossible with determination.”
He made a special mention of the workers working day and night to complete the project and had a meal with them. He also thanked the residents who lived in the area before for the restoration work. He thanked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP government in the state.
“Even during Covid-19, the work did not stop here,” he said.
The Prime Minister then asked the Indians three “Resolution“(pledge)” to the nation: cleanliness, innovation, and commitment to a self-reliant India.
This report has been updated to add in Modi’s quote about Aurangzeb
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
Read also: Kashi Vishwanath races to make changes to meet November deadline, blending legacy with modern
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