Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to people that along with “vocal for local”, they should promote ‘local for Diwali’ big time and buy local products this festival season. Modi said that celebration of Diwali with local will give a new boost to the economy and advantages to the local artisans.
“I would like to say to the people of Varanasi and all countrymen that promote ‘local for Diwali’ big time,” he said while inaugurating projects for Varanasi via video conferencing. When every person will buy local products with pride, will talk about local products, hail them and will take the message to others that our local products are so good, this message will go far, Modi said.
“Not only local identity will be strengthened, the people who make these local products, their Diwali will also brighten up more. Going for local doesn’t mean only purchasing ‘diya’ but everything you use in Diwali. It will encourage those making them,” PM said. While extending festival greetings to people, Modi said, “You are seeing today that along with vocal for local, the mantra of local for Diwali is resonating everywhere.” The Prime Minister launched 16 schemes worth Rs 220 crore and informed that the work has already begun on 14 schemes worth Rs 400 crore in his constituency Varanasi.
The projects inaugurated include Sarnath Light and Sound show, upgradation of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital Ramnagar, sewerage related works, infrastructure facilities for protection and conservation of cows, multipurpose seed storehouse, agriculture produce warehouse of 100 MT, IPDS phase 2, a housing complex for players in Sampurnanand Stadium, Varanasi city smart lighting work, along with 105 Anganwadi Kendras and 102 Gau Ashray Kendras. Addressing the event, he said tourism is also a part of the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi.
He said this development in itself is an example of how Varanasi has gained the pace of development in every field like cleanliness of River Ganges, health services, road, infrastructure, tourism, electricity, youth, sports, farmer, etc. He announced that renovation of sewage treatment plant project under Ganga Action Plan has been completed.
He listed the infrastructure works carried out in Varanasi like Ghats being decorated, introduction of CNG to reduce pollution, Tourist Plaza at Dashashwamedh Ghat. He said these efforts towards the Ganga are also the resolve for Kashi and the path of new opportunities for Kashi. Gradually, the situation of the ghats here is improving. He said along with the cleanliness and beautification of Ganga Ghats, Sarnath is also getting a new look.