VARANASI: Prime Minister gifted projects worth Rs 614 crore to his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi four days ahead of Diwali, and urged people to go ‘Local for Diwali’ to give a boost to the economy and show the way of helping the country in attaining ‘atmanirbharta’ (self reliance).
Addressing people through videoconferencing on Monday morning, PM Modi said, “One of the oldest civilisations having given message about culture, religion and spirituality to the whole world, Kashi now needs to show the way to help attain ‘Atmanirbharta’.”
“Today along with ‘Vocal for Local’, the mantra of ‘Local for Diwali’ is echoing everywhere. Celebrate Diwali with local products to give a boost to the economy. I appeal to the people of Varanasi and all countrymen to promote ‘Local for Diwali’ this year,” he said.
“Buying local products will reinforce local identity and also brighten up Diwali for those who make them,” the PM added.
“Going for local doesn’t mean just buying the clay ‘diyas’ but everything you use in Diwali,” he said, and in a lighter vein, added, “By appealing to go local, I am not asking you to dump previously purchased products or stop buying those articles, which are not produced in the country.”
Buying local products this Diwali will encourage local artisans and this will go a long way in setting an example for self-reliance before the country, he added.
“Do mouth publicity of local products to promote them as it will boost sales and encourage their makers besides being a contribution in the growth of the economy,” said Modi.
Highlighting how Varanasi has witnessed growth in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, industry and other fronts, he said these developments have reduced dependency of people from eastern parts of the country on centres like Delhi and Mumbai as they are now coming here to avail advanced facilities.
Invoking ‘Maa Ganga’, the PM said that Kashi never stops like the flow of Ganga, and it has proved this in Covid-19 pandemic.
He praised chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his team for working hard to ensure the all-round development of Varanasi at an accelerated pace in fields like education, health, civil aviation, sports, farmers’ welfare, better connectivity and urban development.
Earlier, PM remotely inaugurated 16 completed projects worth Rs 219.89 crore and laid foundation of 14 development projects worth Rs 394.11 crore.
Speaking about the light and sound show on the life of Lord Buddha at Sarnath, work done at Dashashwamedh Ghat and other projects, PM said, “When tourism will revive after the end of Covid-19 pandemic, there will be many new attractions to greet tourists and pilgrims.”