Ahead of the general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on his pilgrimage as well as launching of development works.
MEHESANA, Gujarat, Feb 22 (The CONNECT) – Underscoring the importance of the ‘Dev Kaaj’ (divine works) and ‘Desh kaaj’ (national tasks), Prime Minister Narendra Modi today focused on his pilgrimage as well as launching of development works even as the nation gets set for the general elections in a couple of months.
While launching development works worth Rs 13,000 crore at Tarabh in Gujarat’s Mehesana district, Modi spoke at length about his pilgrimage.
The Prime Minister recalled that on January 22, exactly one month ago, he got the opportunity to perform the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. On the Basantpanchmi day on February 14 he inaugurated the first Hindu temple of the Gulf countries in Abu Dhabi. In Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister mentioned laying the foundation stone for Kalki Dham. Today, he also performed consecration and darshan and pooja at Valinath Mahadev Temple in Tarabh.
PM Modi spoke of the presence of divine energy in the “pious land of Mehsana” and said that it connects the people with the spiritual consciousness of thousands of years associated with Lord Krishna and Lord Mahadev.
This energy, he said, connects the people with the journey of Gadipati Mahant Veeram-Giri Bapu ji as he paid tribute to him. He also bowed before Mahant Shri Jayaramgiri Bapu for forwarding the resolve of Gadipati Mahant Baldevgiri Bapu and accomplishing it. Highlighting his four-decade-old deep connection with Baldevgiri Bapu ji, the Prime Minister recalled welcoming him to his residence on numerous occasions as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat to awaken the spiritual consciousness.
For India and the world, the Prime Minister noted that Valinath Shiv Dham is a pilgrimage site but it is an auspicious seat of the Guru for the Rewari society and devotees from around the country.
The Prime Minister said that these temples are more than a place of worship but are also symbols of our centuries-old civilization. The Prime Minister highlighted the role of temples in spreading knowledge in society. The Prime Minister praised the local religious Akhadas for taking forward the tradition of spreading knowledge and said that the organization of Pustak Parab and the construction of school and hostel have enhanced awareness and education among the people. “There can not be a better example of Dev Kaaj and Desh Kaaj, ” PM Modi added. He praised Rabari Samaj for nurturing such enlightened traditions.
The Prime Minister talked about the spirit of Sabka Saath Vikas ingrained in Valinath Dham and said in sync with this spirit, the government is committed to make the lives of every section better. “Goal of Modi’s guarantee is to transform the life of the person on the last pedestal of the society”, he said. He juxtaposed the coming of new temples with the construction of pucca houses for crores of poor, recalling dedication and foundation stone laying for 1.25 lakh houses recently. He also mentioned free ration for 80 crore citizens as ‘Bhagwan ka Prasad’, and piped water for 10 crore new families as ‘Amrit’.
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts towards the development of heritage sites in Gujarat apart from infrastructure development in the last two decades. He lamented the conflict created between development and heritage in India for decades, the auspicious Somnath Temple becoming a site of dispute, neglect of the site of Pavagadh, vote bank politics of the Sun Temple in Modhera, questioning the existence of Lord Ram and creating obstacles in the development of his temple. He also pointed out that the same people are still spreading negativity even though the entire nation is rejoicing in the temple built on Ram Lalla’s birthplace.
The Prime Minister emphasized, “Today, every effort being made in the New India is creating a legacy for the future generations. The new and modern roads and railway tracks that are being built today are the pathways of developed India only.” He said that today rail connectivity to Mehsana was strengthened.
He remarked that doubling the rail line has improved the connectivity of Banaskantha and Patan with Kandla, Tuna and Mundra ports. He said that he laid the foundation stone of the runway one and a half years ago for Deesa Air Force Station runway. “Whatever pledge Modi takes, he fulfills it, this runway of Deesa is an example of this. This is Modi’s guarantee”, the Prime Minister said.
Recalling the time period 20-25 years ago when opportunities were very limited in North Gujarat along with the scope of industrialization, the Prime Minister pointed out the challenges of cattle herders and the irrigation of the farmer’s fields. The Prime Minister highlighted the positive changes brought about by the present government and mentioned farmers growing 2-3 crops in a year and an increase in the water level of the entire area.
Referring to the inauguration and foundation stone laying of the 8 projects related to water supply and water sources today worth more than Rs 1500 crores, the Prime Minister said that it will further help in solving the water problems of North Gujarat. He also lauded the farmers of North Gujarat for adopting modern technology like drip irrigation and the emerging trends of chemical-free natural farming. “Your efforts will increase the enthusiasm of farmers across the country”, he added.
