Success Of No Use, If We Can’t Go Home Safe

Varanasi: After taking Varanasi by storm with his grand roadshow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his first interaction with intellectuals of the holy town late Thursday and humbly sought their permission to file his nomination from the constituency.
During the informal interface in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections, which was termed ‘milan’ by BJP, Modi sought to build an ecosystem of science and spirituality, dialogue and tourism, modernisation and cultural bonding while pegging security of people and nation as paramount.
Striking a bond with the city and its people, Modi referred to himself as the son of Lord Kal Bhairav, the presiding deity of Kashi several times.
“The city signifies vibrancy of culture and history and we must strive to build an ecosystem where science and spirituality co-exist. Modernisation is welcome with a personal touch. We must usher in development, but should preserve Kashi’s spiritual fabric,” he said.
He said his government honoured distinguished citizens and doyens of art and culture of the state with the Padma awards, while citing folk artist Hiralal Yadav. He reiterated his government’s efforts to instill security in people.
“Chahe kuch bhi ho, desh ke hit ke alawa kisi aur ha hit nahi sochoonga, chahe woh Pulwama ka sankat ho, Uri ho. Mera ek hi mantra hai, aur wahi mantra lekar main jee raha hoon. Rashtra pratham hai. (My motto is Nation first. And that is my only objective when I work),” Modi told the august gathering.
Stressing on the importance of national security, he said, “We may have a good house, bungalow or may be in a good profession, but we should return home safe.” Recalling the attacks on Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi and Akshardham temple in Gujarat, he categorically pointed out that there were no such terror attacks in his regime.
“We gave a befitting response after Pulwama and Uri terror strikes.”
Several doctors and women entrepreneurs present in the crowd said they were floored by Modi’s gesture of seeking their permission to file his nomination.
“It’s this humility that makes us his fan,” said Dr Neelam Singh, a dental surgeon who was joined by her husband.