Modi names Varanasi Convention Centre as Rudraksha

Thanking his Japanese counterpart Shizo Abe for Japan’s financial assistance to Varanasi Convention Centre project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday revealed that it was he who named the centre as Rudraksh, the symbol of love and ‘prasad’ of Lord Shiva.

Modi made the revelation at the India-Japan annual summit at Ahmedabad during which the design of proposed Varanasi Convention Centre was launched.

Varanasi Municipal Corporation officials watched the live screening of the design launch on two big screens set up on municipal corporation premises.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said, “You know that the ancient and holy city of Varanasi is my second home. The project of Varanasi Convention Centre is a symbol of cultural co-operation between Kyoto city of Japan and Varanasi. It was conceived by Prime Minister Abe and I when we visited Varanasi together in 2015.”

“I have named it Rudraksh – the symbol of love, and a Prasad of Lord Shiva to humanity. This Rudraksh will be a garland of love of Japan for Varanasi. It will also be a tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage present at Sarnath.”

The proposed convention centre will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore.

A Japanese architect Yoko Saka has drawn the design which was formally launched on Thursday. The DPR is likely to be ready by February 2018 and construction will start from first week of June.

Municipal Commissioner Dr Nitin Bansal said the centre will enhance cultural exchange between India and Japan and with other countries as well.