PM’s address at the foundation stone laying, inauguration, dedication of various projects to the nation in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 23 Feb, 2024

Har Har Mahadev! On the stage, we have the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath ji, my colleague from the Union Cabinet, Shri Mahendra Nath Pandey ji, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak ji, Chairman of Banas Dairy Shankarbhai Chaudhary, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary ji, other ministers of the state, representatives, and my brothers and sisters from Kashi. Once again, I have got the opportunity to be amongst you on the soil of Kashi. As long as I don’t come to Banaras, my heart is not content. Ten years ago, you made me the Member of Parliament from Banaras. Now, Banaras has made me Banarasi in these ten years. Brothers and sisters, You all have come in such large numbers to bless us. This sight moves us deeply. Through your hard work, the campaign to constantly renew Kashi is ongoing. Today, inauguration and ground breaking ceremonies have been held for development projects worth more than 13,000 crores. These projects will not only accelerate the development of Kashi but also of Eastern India, including Purvanchal. It includes projects related to rail, road, airports, animal husbandry, industry, sports, skill development, health, cleanliness, spirituality, tourism, LPG gas, and various other sectors. Numerous jobs will be created for Banaras and the entire Purvanchal region due to these projects. Today, several projects related to the birthplace of Sant Ravidas ji have also been inaugurated. I congratulate all of you for these projects. Friends, If anything good happens in Kashi and Purvanchal, it is very natural for me to feel happy. Today, a large number of my young companions have also come here. Last night, I came to the BLW Guest House from Babatpur by road. A few months ago, when I came to Banaras, I had inaugurated the Phulwaria Flyover. It is evident how much of a boon this flyover has become for Banaras. Earlier, if someone had to go from BLW to Babatpur, they would leave home almost 2-3 hours in advance. The traffic would start from Manduwadih, then at Mahmoorganj, at Cantt, at Chaukaghat, at Nadesar, meaning it would take more time to catch a flight than to go to Delhi by flight. But this flyover has cut this time in half. And last night, I specially went there and saw everything, took note of its arrangement. I walked there late at night. In these past 10 years, the speed of development in Banaras has increased manifold. Just a while ago, the inauguration of the first phase of work at Sigra Stadium has happened. A modern shooting range has also been inaugurated for the young athletes of Banaras. This will greatly benefit the youth athletes of Banaras and this region. Friends, Before coming here, I went to the Banas Dairy plant. There, I got the opportunity to talk to many livestock sisters. We had provided indigenous breed Gir cows to these farmer families 2-3 years ago. The purpose was to provide information and benefit to farmers-cattle rearers with better breeds of indigenous cows in Purvanchal. I have been told that the number of Gir cows here has reached close to around three hundred and fifty. During my conversation with them, our sisters also told me that earlier, where a normal cow used to give 5 litres of milk, now a Gir cow gives up to 15 litres of milk. I was also told that there has been a case in one family where a cow has started giving up to 20 litres of milk. As a result, these sisters are earning thousands of rupees extra every month. Now, our sisters are also becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis’. And this is a great inspiration for the 10 crore sisters associated with the self-help group across the country. Friends, I inaugurated the Banas Dairy plant two years ago. At that time, I gave the guarantee to all the livestock keepers and dairy farmers of Purvanchal, including Varanasi, that this project would be completed swiftly. Today, Modi’s guarantee is before you. And that’s why people say – Modi’s guarantee means the guarantee of fulfilment. Banas Dairy is an excellent example of how employment opportunities are created with proper investment. Currently, Banas Dairy is collecting approximately 2 lakh litres of milk from livestock keepers in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, and Raebareli districts. With the commencement of this plant, lakhs of livestock keepers in Ballia, Chandauli, Prayagraj, Jaunpur, and other districts will also benefit. Through this project, dairy markets will be established in more than a thousand villages in Varanasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur, and Azamgarh districts. If more milk from livestock is sold at a higher price, then every farmer-livestock family is bound to earn more. This plant will also raise awareness among farmers-livestock keepers about better breeds of animals and better fodder, and provide training. Friends, Not only this, Banas Kashi Sankul will also create thousands of new job opportunities. Employment will be generated in various fields. It is estimated that more than 3 lakh farmers’ income will increase in the entire region through this Sankul. Besides milk, buttermilk, yogurt, lassi, ice cream, paneer, and various types of local sweets will also be made. When all this is made, then those who sell them will also get employment. This plant will play a significant role in ensuring Banaras’ famous sweets to every corner of the country. Many people will find employment in the business related to milk transportation as well. The scope of animal feed-related businesses, local distributors will also increase. This will also create many jobs. Friends, Amidst these efforts, I also appeal to our senior colleagues associated with Banas Dairy’s operations. I would like you to send the money for milk directly to the accounts of our sisters through digital means, without giving money to any male member. My experience says that this yields excellent results. Livestock rearing is a sector in which our sisters are most involved. This is a significant means of making our sisters self-reliant. Livestock rearing is also a significant support for small farmers and landless families. That’s why the double-engine government is giving so much emphasis to the livestock and dairy sector. Friends, Our government is not only working to make the farmer an energy provider but is also now working to make the farmer a fertilizer provider. We are providing earning opportunities to livestock keepers from cow dung as well as milk so that they become fertilizer producers. Our dairy plants are producing bio-CNG from cow dung, and work is underway to provide organic fertilizers to farmers at a low cost. This will further strengthen organic farming. The trend of natural farming along the banks of the Ganges is already increasing. Today, under the Gobar Dhan scheme, biogas and bio-CNG are being produced from cow dung, along with other waste materials. This not only ensures cleanliness but also earns money from waste. Friends, Kashi is emerging as a model in the country for converting waste into gold. Today, another such plant has been inaugurated here. This plant will convert 600 tons of waste generated from the city into 200 tons of charcoal daily. Imagine, if this waste were continuously dumped in some field, how huge a mountain of garbage it would create. Many works have been done to improve the sewage system in Kashi. Friends, Farmers and livestock keepers have always been the top priority of the BJP government. Just two days ago, the government increased the minimum support price for sugarcane to Rs. 340 per quintal. Keeping the interests of the livestock keepers in mind, the livestock insurance program has also been made easier. Remember the situation in Purvanchal during the previous government when it used to be prodded for sugarcane payment. But now, this is the BJP government. Not only are the dues of farmers being paid, but also the prices of crops are being increased. Brothers and sisters, The construction of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed Bharat) will be based on the strength of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant Bharat). ‘Viksit Bharat’ cannot be built by importing every commodity from outside. This is the biggest difference between the approach of the previous governments and our government. ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ will only be possible when every small power of the country is awakened, when assistance is provided to small farmers, livestock keepers, artisans, craftsmen, and small entrepreneurs. That’s why I remain vocal for local. And when I insist on being vocal for local, it is the promotion of those weavers, those small entrepreneurs who cannot afford to advertise in newspapers and on TV by spending lakhs of rupees. Modi himself promotes such companions who produce local products. Today Modi is the ambassador of every small farmer and every small entrepreneur. When I urge the people to buy khadi, wear khadi, I connect the khadi-wearing sisters in every village with the market. When I talk about buying toys made in the country, it improves the lives of families making toys from generations. When I talk about Make in India, I strive to elevate the capabilities of these small and cottage industries, our MSMEs. When I say, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ (see your own country), I promote tourism in our own country. We are experiencing how local employment and self-employment are increasing in Kashi. Since the reconstruction of Vishwanath Dham, nearly 12 crore people have come to Kashi. This has increased the employment of shopkeepers, dhaba owners, street vendors, rickshaw pullers, flower sellers, boatmen, and everyone here. Today marks a new beginning. The plan for small electric planes for Kashi and Ayodhya has started. This will enhance the experience of pilgrims visiting Kashi and Ayodhya. Brothers and sisters, Decades of nepotism, corruption, and appeasement have held Uttar Pradesh back in development. Previous governments turned UP into a BIMARU (sick) state, stealing the future of its youth. But today, as UP is changing, as the youth of UP are scripting their new future, what are these dynasts doing? I am amazed to hear their words. The scion of the Congress royal family is saying, and you will be shocked to hear, what the scion of the Congress royal family is saying about the land of Kashi — he is saying that the youth of Kashi, the youth of UP, are addicted. What kind of language is this? While they spent two decades cursing Modi, now, they are taking their frustration out on the youth of UP, the youth of my Kashi. Those who have lost their senses are calling the children of Kashi, the youth of UP, addicted. Oh, blatant dynasts, the youth of Kashi and UP are engaged in building a ‘Viksit UP’ (Developed UP), working hard to script their prosperous future. The insult of the youth of UP by the INDI Alliance will not be forgotten by anyone. Friends, This is the reality of hardcore dynasts. These dynasts are always afraid of the youth power, afraid of youth talent. They think that if ordinary youth get opportunities, they will challenge them everywhere. They prefer those who constantly praise them day and night. Nowadays, there is another reason for their anger and frustration. They don’t like the new face of Kashi and Ayodhya. Look at how they talk about the Ram temple in their speeches. How they attack with their words. I didn’t know that Congress had so much hatred for Lord Shri Ram. Brothers and sisters, They cannot see beyond their family and their vote bank; cannot think beyond that. That’s why they come together during every election, and when the result is a big zero, they separate, hurling abuses at each other. But these people don’t know — this is Banaras, here everybody is aware. Here, the INDI alliance won’t work. Not just Banaras… the entire UP knows about it. The product is the same, but the packaging is new. This time, they will have to struggle a lot just to save their security deposits. Friends, Today, the mood of the whole country is the same – this time, NDA will cross 400 (seats). It is Modi’s guarantee — every beneficiary will get 100% benefit. Modi is giving guarantee of saturation of beneficiaries, so UP has also decided to give all seats to Modi. This means that this time, UP is going to give all its seats to NDA. Brothers and sisters, Modi’s third term is going to be the most vibrant phase of Bharat’s capabilities in the world. During this time, every sector, from the country’s economy, society, defence to culture will reach new heights. In the last 10 years, Bharat has risen from 11th place to become the 5th largest economic power. In the next 5 years, Bharat will become the third-largest economic powerhouse in the world. In the last 10 years, you have seen that everything has become digital in the country. Today, you are seeing wide roads with four lanes, six lanes, eight lanes and modern railway stations. Modern trains like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat are running so fast, this is the new Bharat. In the coming 5 years, there will be even more speed in such development works, the country is going to witness transformation. Modi has given the guarantee that the eastern part of Bharat, which was deprived of development, will become the growth engine of ‘Viksit Bharat’. The first phase of the six-lane highway from Varanasi to Aurangabad is complete. When this is completed in the next 5 years, then UP and Bihar will benefit greatly. The Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway will reduce the distance and time between Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The journey from Varanasi to Kolkata will be reduced by about half in the future. Friends, In the coming 5 years, new dimensions will also be added to the development of UP and Kashi. Then the people of Kashi will be able to use modern transportation like the Kashi Ropeway. The capacity of the airport will be many times more. Kashi will not only be an important sports city of UP but of the entire country. In the coming 5 years, my Kashi will give more impetus to the Made in India, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns. In the coming 5 years, investment and employment, skill and employment will play the role of its hub in Kashi. In the coming 5 years, the National Institute of Fashion Technology campus in Kashi will be ready. This will provide many opportunities for skill and employment for the youth of UP. This will also make it easy to provide new technology and new skills to our fellow weavers, our artisans. Friends, In the past decade, we have given Kashi a new identity as a hub for health and education. Now, a new medical college is also going to be a part of it. Along with the National Centre for Ageing at BHU, several diagnostic machines and equipment costing 35 crore rupees have also been set up. This will make it easier to diagnose patients coming to the super-specialty hospital. A new facility will soon be ready for the disposal of biomedical waste from hospitals in Kashi. Friends, We must not let the rapid development of Kashi, UP and the country come to a halt. It is time for every resident of Kashi to come together. If the country and the world have so much confidence in Modi’s guarantee, then there is your affinity and Baba’s blessings behind this. Once again, congratulations to all of you for the new projects! Say it with me – Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Har Har Mahadev!