‘Blending devotion & development’: PM flags off four new Vande Bharat trains in Varanasi

Maintaining that India’s pilgrimages are not just religious journeys, but traditions that unite the nation’s soul, he said pilgrimage and tourism in Uttar Pradesh have given a strong boost to economic activity in the past 11 years.

“Last year, 110 million devotees came for the darshan of Baba Vishwanath, while more than 60 million people have visited Ayodhya since the construction of the Ram Temple. This has brought thousands of crores in revenue to the state’s economy and employed lakhs of people,” he said.

Kashi, he added, has now become the health capital of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, patients had to travel to Mumbai for treatment, but now modern hospitals, cancer centres, Ayushman Bharat services, and Jan Aushadhi Kendras are providing relief here, he said.

He continued, “After Dev Deepawali, today again we celebrate Kashi’s festival of development. Expanding the railway network, roads, and new facilities is scripting a new chapter of growth across every corner of the country.”

At least 160 Vande Bharat trains are now operational nationwide and these trains symbolise India’s engineering capability and self-reliance, the Prime Minister said. “Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat trains are laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways. Vande Bharat is a train made by Indians, for Indians, and every Indian is proud of it,” he said.

“Living in Kashi, visiting Kashi, and experiencing Kashi have become special for everyone,” he said. Roads, gas pipelines, stadiums, and ropeway projects are also progressing rapidly in the city, he added.

Lauding Varanasi’s children for their creativity, he said, “During the Vande Bharat inauguration, students presented beautiful poems and drawings on ‘Developed India.’ As a Member of Parliament from Kashi, I am proud of the immense talent of our children. I want to organise a poetry conference for these kids in Kashi and take some of them across the country.”

Modi added that Varanasi will continue to play a leading role in building a developed India. “We must preserve Kashi’s energy and pace so that the dream of a grand and prosperous Kashi can be fulfilled.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and others were present on the occasion.