Varanasi, February 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth over Rs 14,000 crore in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. The projects encompass diverse sectors like healthcare, education, transportation, waterways, sports, tourism and cultural heritage.
PM Inaugurates Museum Dedicated to Saint Ravidas
In a significant move, PM Modi inaugurated a museum dedicated to 15th century mystic poet Sant Ravidas at Seer Goverdhanpur.
The museum has been set up at a cost of over Rs 7 crore and will boost tourism at the holy city of Varanasi as well as the region, including the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath.
It will also help in preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Sant Ravidas was a highly influential saint during the medieval Bhakti movement in North India. He was born in Varanasi itself in a family that faced caste discrimination.
However, Ravidas emerged as a gifted spiritual poet and philosopher who challenged the hierarchical caste system and spoke of spiritual equality among all people. The inauguration gains special significance as it coincides with the celebrations for Ravidas Jayanti.
Banas Dairy Plant Inaugurated
At Karkhiyaon village in Varanasi district, PM Modi inaugurated the Amul Mega Dairy Plant, which will be operated by Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (Banas Dairy).
Named ‘Banas Kashi Sankul’, the project has been set up at an estimated cost of Rs 475 crore with a daily milk handling capacity of 5 lakh litres per day.
The Amul dairy plant will give a mega boost to the income of dairy farmers in the eastern UP region. Apart from production of milk, it will also manufacture various dairy products like paneer, ice cream, dahi, lassi and sweets.
The plant will contribute to employment generation while giving fillip to industrial development in the region.
Projects Worth Over Rs 8,000 Crore Inaugurated
As part of his day-long visit, PM Modi inaugurated projects worth over Rs 8,000 crore at Sant Ravidas Janmasthali in Seer Goverdhanpur. He also witnessed the 25-foot tall statue of Sant Ravidas and offered prayers at the temple complex.
The key inaugurations include a Skill Development Centre, a 40-bedded MCH Wing Centre at BHU Hospital, Centre for Excellence for Studies of Ramcharitmanas, 73 km long sewerage network, tourist facility centre, housing complexes worth Rs 170 crore, Varanasi City smart lighting work phase-2, synthetic athletic track at sports grounds, and roads-bridges-crossings improvement worth Rs 220 crore among others.
Over 20 Projects Worth Rs 6,000 Crore Launched
At a public meeting in Karkhiyaon, PM Modi laid foundation stones for over 20 projects amounting to an investment of over Rs 6,000 crore.
The vital foundation-laying projects encompass redevelopment of Dashashwamedh Ghat and Khidkiya Ghat, trade facilitation centre for handicrafts, administrative offices building for police, smart city schemes including rejuvenation of Assi riverfront and construction of convention centre, housing projects under PMAY, intelligent transport system, trauma centre at Kabirchaura among others.
Initiatives to Boost Sports Infrastructure in Varanasi
As part of the development projects being launched by PM Modi, the city is also getting a major boost in sports infrastructure for nurturing sporting talent among youth.
The key sports infrastructure projects include a synthetic athletic track worth Rs 10 crore at Madan Mohan Malviya Sports Ground, multi-purpose indoor hall and synthetic athletic track in Sigra Kala Mandir ,bridges, drains and CC road at Chowkaghat.
A new building is also being constructed for Regional Institute of Sports Education and Research as well as a 40-bed sports injuries rehabilitation centre.
Contests Focus on Promoting Sanskrit and Sports Culture
Prior to launching the projects, Prime Minister Modi had also interacted with and awarded the winners of various contests at Banaras Hindu University. The competitions were conducted with the aim of nurturing Indian civilizational values among youth.
These include Sansad Khel (Sports), Sansad Photography, Sansad Knowledge and Sansad Sanskrit contests held as part of the Parliamentary constituencies model youth festival. The contests seek to promote sports culture alongwith appreciation of Sanskrit language that forms the bedrock of India’s cultural heritage.
By unveiling the museum dedicated to Sant Ravidas and dairy project that will boost incomes of farmers in the region, PM Modi has highlighted his government’s commitment to promoting the culture and welfare of marginalized communities.
With the new infrastructure projects also encompassing facilities for promotion of tourism, sports talent along with smart city amenities, the development initiatives seek to herald industrial progress and employment opportunities for the youth of Varanasi and adjoining areas.
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