I am here as your Sevak, says Narendra Modi during his first visit to Varanasi as PM
Varanasi: Narendra Modi arrived in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Friday morning for the first time after assuming charge as the Prime Minister.
After inaugurating a trade facilitation centre for weavers, Modi said, “I am here as your Sevak, am going to be with you in times of happiness and sadness”.
Modi further said, “Varanasi has a very special place in my heart. Varanasi has made me their own. I am here in the midst of my own. The joy is different”.
Pitching for modernisation of the textile sector, Modi asked the weavers to utilise the growing e-commerce market to reach out to global consumers even as he announced a package of Rs 2,375 crore to revive banks in eastern UP.
"E-business is increasing. There are opportunities in the global market," said PM.
The ancient temple town is famous for silk products crafted by its master weavers.
Stressing that there was a huge market for weavers both in domestic and abroad, the Prime Minister said the textile sector provides employment to the poorest of the poor.
Modi also announced a package of Rs. 2,375 crore to revive 16 banks in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
"We have decided to offer a package of Rs. 2375 crore. The amount would be used to revive banks in 16 districts," he said.
He also stressed that politics should be kept outside the purview of the package.
Tight security has been put in place for Modi’s visit. He arrived at the airport located at Babatpur around 10 am and left straight for Lalpur village where laid the foundation stone of a trade facilitation centre and a crafts museum.
The Prime Minister also adopted a village under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana under (MPs' Model Village Scheme).
According to Inspector General of Police (Public Grievances) Ashok Jain, 12 SP rank police officials of Uttar Pradesh, 18 Additional SPs, 20 Deputy SPs, 135 sub-inspectors, besides more than 1000 personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed.
The Special Protection Group, which is responsible for the Prime Minister's security was assisted by officials and personnel of the Uttar Pradesh police.
The Prime Minister's visit had sent soaring the hope of a better future among residents of the holy town, which has been facing crumbling infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.
Among the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi has been constantly in the spotlight ever since Modi chose to retain the constituency he had won by a huge margin of 3.7 lakh votes, vacating Vadodara in his home state of Gujarat where his victory (by 5.7 lakh votes) was even bigger.