Virendra Singh Rawat
Lucknow / Dec 13, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised on rediscovering the ancient spirit of innovation and creation as the hallmark of New India.
Speaking at a function after dedicating the redeveloped Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex project, which cost Rs 900 crore, in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Modi said innovation and enterprise would spur the creation of startups and Unicorns.
He lamented due to centuries of slavery, the countrymen seem to have lost self confidence to innovate. “We have forgotten our rich heritage of creation and innovation,” he said while recalling the large number of startups on the Indian horizon now.
“Today, more than 40 startups are Unicorns, which means they are worth over Rs 7,000 crore each, despite the challenging times of pandemic. This shows our bandwidth to achieve anything with determination,” he noted.
He suggested that for self reliance and composite development, it was imperative to take pride on indigenous products and promote ‘Vocal for Local’ by procuring locally manufactured products,” the PM said adding it would help in realising the Aatmanirbhar Bharat dream.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was also present on the occasion.
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“We are not only rebuilding the Somnath temple, but laying thousands of km of undersea fibre optic cable. We are not only redeveloping the Kashi Vishwanath temple, but planning to send Indians to space. We are not only building Lord Ram temple, but a medical college in every district of the country. This is the hallmark of New India,” he added.
Modi termed the redeveloped Kashi Vishwanath complex as the synthesis of the old and new India. The complex project costing Rs 900 crore has expanded its compound from 3,000 sq ft to 0.5 million sq ft to accommodate up to 70,000 pilgrims.
Earlier, he also offered prayers at river Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath temple. He said Kashi was an amalgamation of the ancient and modernity and that Lord Shiv was manifested in the city and its people. “Kashi is the cultural, spiritual and political hub of India and is a lively manifestation of its soul. The complex is the living testimony of our wherewithal to achieve our goals if we are steadfast.”
Later, Modi broke bread with the workers of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project, which spans three phases. The first phase was dedicated to the nation by the PM.