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PM unveils 63-ft-tall Deendayal Upadhyay statue in Varanasi,
launches Rs 1,200 cr-worth projects
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and unveiled a host of projects for the region, worth Rs 1,200 crores on 16 February, 2020. He also unveiled a 63-feet tall statue of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre in Padao on the Varanasi-Chandauli border.
Addressing a function at Varanasi he said facilitating and strengthening traditional handicrafts workers, artisans and MSME will help in achieving the goal of 5 trillion dollar economy. Shri Narendra Modi said that government will keep taking decisions to achieve the goal.
He appreciated the Uttar Pradesh Government for taking several initiatives in creating more opportunities for Indian products in the international market and for providing essentials such as machines, credit, loans to the weavers and handicraftsmen under several schemes. Prime Minister mentioned that due to UP Government’s programmes like ‘One District One Product’ programme, exports from UP have been steadily increasing in the last 2 years. PM said the country will benefit from the products of UP, reaching abroad and online market of the world.
He said in India each and every district can be identified with some unique art, product such as different varieties of silk, spices etc. This, he said is the biggest inspiration behind ideas like ‘Make in India’ and ‘One District One Product’.
He noted that in the last 2 years more than 3500 artisans weavers from 30 districts were supported by UP Institute of Design (UPID). Toolkits were also given to over 1000 workers. He commended the efforts of UPID in extending support to weavers, artisans, handicraftsmen etc.
Stressing on the need for refining, improving quality of the products made in India, as per the demands of 21st century, Prime Minister said it is necessary to provide institutional support, financial assistance, new technology and marketing facilitate to our traditional industries. He said for the past 5 years, we have been making efforts in this direction. We are moving forward with a new approach that focuses on empowering every person in the country.
Highlighting several measures taken to facilitate industries and wealth creators, Shri Modi said this year’s Budget has given utmost thrust to Manufacturing and Ease of Doing Business. He said National Technical Textile Mission has been proposed with the allocation of Rs 1500 crore. He said provision of Rs 3700 crore has also been made for the Defense Corridor in UP. Small industries will benefit from this corridor, and it would also create new employment opportunities.
PM Shri Modi mentioned that GEM (Government e-Marketplace) has made it easier for small enterprises to sell goods to the government. He said creation of Unified Procurement System would further enable the government to procure goods and services from small industries on a single platform.
He said for the first time in the country, National logistics policy is being prepared, which will create single window e logistics, thus making small scale industries more competitive and also helping in employment generation.
For CAA Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said his government stood by the decision despite all pressure. “Be it the decision on Article 370 or the Citizenship Amendment Act, it was necessary in the interest of the country. Despite pressure, we stand by our decision and will remain so,” he said.
Prime Minister concluded the address by urging everyone to take concerted efforts to make India a manufacturing powerhouse.
‘KASHI EK ROOP ANEK’ EXHIBITION AT HASTAKALA SANKUL
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ program organized at the Deendayal Upadhyay Trade Facilitation Center, Bada Lalpur at Varanasi. Unveiling the arts and handicrafts exhibition ‘KASHI EK ROOP ANEK’ , PM Shri Modi said that the cultural, arts and handicrafts exhibition will benefit the country, especially because the products, although being made in Uttar Pradesh, will be available online and thereby will be accessible to national and international markets.
During the function he visited an exhibition on the various products from Kashi and others districts of UP produced by the weavers and handicraftsmen. He not only inspected the stall of Handloom, Pink Meenakari, Wooden Toys, Chandauli Black Rice, Kannauj’s Perfume, Moradabad’s Metal Crafts, Agra Leather Shoes, Lucknow’s Chikankari and Azamgarh Black Pottery under the ‘One District One Product’ but also interacted with artisans and craftsman. He also distributed kits and financial assistance to artisans and craftsman from different crafts.
PM Shri Modi at the launch of ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ exhibition at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul said,”For the first time in the country, a national logistics policy is being prepared. It will lead to the creation of a single-window E-logistics market. I’ve been told that in the last 2 years, Uttar Pradesh Institute of Design (UPID) has provided assistance in design-related artwork to 3500 craftsmen and weavers across 30 districts of the state. Also, for enhancement in craft products, tool-kits have been provided to 1000 artisans,” Artistes and weavers at the two-day event will be imparted skills for improving the quality and branding of their wares suitable for the larger national and international markets.
There are 23 lakh artisans and weavers residing in Uttar Pradesh. Of these, about 35,800 artisans and 1.5 lakh weavers stay in Varanasi alone. The Uttar Pradesh government had launched the ambitious scheme ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) in which one craft per district was identified.
The state government has established raw material banks, testing labs, common facility centres, and facilitated direct market access to artisans and weavers and helping them improve their income.
PM unveils 63 ft tall Deendayal Statue
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled the Statue of Deendayal Upadhyay and dedicated to the nation the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial’ in Varanasi.
Addressing a gathering at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Centre in Varanasi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that today this region is further strengthening the significance of its name ‘Padaav’ by joining itself to the memorial site of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay. It will develop into a stage where service, sacrifice, injustice and public interest will all come together. Now with this memorial place and garden built here, PM said that the grand statue installed here will continue to inspire generations to follow the ethics and thoughts of Deendayal Ji.
The Prime Minister said that Deendayal Upadhyay Ji showed us the path of Antyodaya, which is the rise of the last person in the society. Taking inspiration from this idea PM said that 21st century India is working for Antyodaya. He added that on this holy occasion, about Rs.1250 crore worth of projects which have been launched, will benefit the entire Purvanchal, including Varanasi. “All these projects are part of the resolution of rejuvenation going on in the entire Purvanchal including Kashi for the last 5 years. In these years, development works worth about Rs. 25 thousand crores have been completed or in progress in Varanasi district,” he said.
In line with the Deendayal Ji’s thoughts that self-reliance and self-help should be at the center of all schemes, the Prime Minister said that efforts are constantly being made to bring these ideas into the government’s plans and the government’s culture.
Prime Minister stressed that the government is continuously working to reach the last person in the society, to bring the benefits of development to them. “Now the situation is changing and now the last man in the society is given top priority,” he added.
PM MEETS VARANASI RICKSHAW-PULLER WHO INVITED HIM FOR DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE
During his one-day visit to Varanasi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Mangal Kewat, the rickshaw puller who had sent his daughter’s wedding invite to the PM. The Prime Minister enquired about the health and well-being of Kewat and his family and also commended him on his contribution to the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan.
It is important to note that inspired by PM Shri Modi, Kewat has taken to cleaning the Ganga banks in his village on his own. Kewat, had earlier expressed glee after receiving a congratulatory letter by the Prime Minister for his daughter’s wedding.
Kashi-Mahakal Express flagged off
On this occasion the Prime Minister also flagged off the Kashi-Mahakal Express connecting Baba Vishwanath’s city with Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. This is the third corporate passenger train in the country.
On the occasion the Prime Minister said a significant and visible improvement was made in cleaning the Ganga River; this, he said could be achieved only because of the public participation. He said under Namami Gange Programme, projects worth Rs 7000 crores have been completed while work on projects worth Rs 21000 crores is under progress.
The PM said further said that a few days ago, the President of Sri Lanka who came here was mesmerized with the divine atmosphere here.
PM released translated version of ‘Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth’
The Prime Minister attended the closing ceremony of the Centenary Celebration of Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul at Jangamwadi Mutt in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath and Karnataka Chief Minister Shri BS Yediyurappa were also present.
At the event, Shri Modi also released the translated version of ‘Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth’ in 19 languages. Addressing the gathering, he said that it’s a coincidence that the centenary celebrations are taking place at the beginning of a new decade and that this decade will once again establish India’s role in the 21st century.
He appreciated people’s contribution in creating awareness about cleanliness and taking the Swachhta Mission to each and every corner of the country. He urged them to use Made in India products. He also asked everyone to participate in Jal Jeevan mission to make it a success.
SUPER-SPECIALTY HOSPITAL IN BHU INAUGURATED
The foundation stone of the super-specialty hospital which was laid in BHU, in the second half of 2016, is now inaugurated.
Inaugurating it the Prime Minister said, “In just 21 months, this 430-bed hospital is ready to serve the people of Kashi and Purvanchal”.
Highlights of the Speech
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled 63 ft tall statue of Deendayal Upadhyay in Varanasi.
• The ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial’ in Varanasi dedicated to the nation.
• PM also flagged off the third corporate train Mahakaal Express which links 3 Jyotirlingas i.e. Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar.
• He inaugurated 36 developmental projects including a 430 Bed Super-Speciality Government Hospital.
• PM laid foundation stone for 14 developmental projects.
• PM Shri Modi also inaugurated an arts and handicrafts exhibition.
• PM said under Namami Gange Programme, projects worth Rs 7000 crores have been completed while work on projects worth Rs 21000 crores is under progress.
• PM said for the first time in the country, a national logistics policy is being prepared. It will lead to the creation of a single-window E-logistics market.