Modi vows to ‘make India the third largest economic superpower
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to make India the third-largest economy in the world in his third straight term.
“When Kashi develops, U.P. develops, and when U.P. develops, India develops,” Mr. Modi said while inaugurating and laying foundation stones of several development projects estimated to be worth over ₹19,000 crore, including projects related to the Railways, electricity, roads, drinking water supply, and ghats in the Ganga river.
“Modi guarantees to make our country the third largest economic superpower in the third term,” the PM said, speaking at the Barki gram sabha in Sewapuri block.
Stressing that, for him, only four castes existed, the PM said that when youth, farmers, the poor, and women become strong, India itself would become more robust.
“Development of women, youth, farmers, and the poor is necessary for me. For Modi, these are the four castes. If these four castes become strong, the country will become strong,” he said.
Mr. Modi reiterated that the Purvanchal region had been neglected. “The region of Purvanchal remained neglected for decades, but with the blessings of Mahadev, Modi is engaged in your service. It is the strength of people from Kashi and the blessings of Mahadev that is behind my self-confidence. When Kashi is hailed worldwide, it gives me immense happiness,” Mr. Modi said.
Mr. Modi also attended the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, interacted with beneficiaries, and listened to their stories in the ‘Meri Kahani, Meri Zubani’ (my story, my language) event. He was impressed by the eloquence and self-confidence of Chanda Devi, a beneficiary.
“Did you contest elections before? Would you like to contest?” the PM asked her, to which Ms. Devi replied negatively.
She thanked Mr. Modi for allowing her to speak before him and hailed his pro-poor policies.
Earlier, Mr. Modi had flagged off the second Vande Bharat train connecting Varanasi and New Delhi; launched the New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction segment of the eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC); and inaugurated the Unified Tourist Pass System under the Smart City Mission, among other projects.
Mr. Modi also inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi, said to be the world’s largest meditation center, adding that cultural symbols of the country had been targeted during the “period of slavery,” and even post-independence, such cultural symbols were not rebuilt. At the event, the PM highlighted the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“Construction of the Ram temple will be complete in the next few weeks, and work is going on to develop the ‘Ram circuit’,” he said.