Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed 1,000 e-rickshaws to rickshaw pullers at DlW Central Ground here on Sunday, sending a message on ‘labour Day’ that the Government is going to change the life of the poor under his ambitious ‘Skill India’ programme. It was the third time when Modi distributed e-rickshaws to his parliamentary constituencies but it was the biggest one as in September last year he distributed 101 poor at Cantonment area and in January this year a few Divyangs (handicapped) at DlW premises.
Unlike his two earlier e-rickshaw distribution functions, this time PM did not address any public meeting but preferred to do his ‘Man Ki Baat’ directly to selected five beneficiaries. The PM was accompanied by high commissioner of the UK in India Sir Dominic Asquith. The smiling mood of the PM during his talks with five beneficiaries at a ‘chaupal’ having a replica of Varanasi Junction (Cantt.) railway station in background indicated at how he was feeling proud of doing the same on this day. The PM and UK diplomat distributed keys and documents to selected 16 beneficiaries all attire in Bhartiya Micro Credit (BMC) T-shirts. later, he flagged off to mark the distribution of all the e-rickshaws.
PM also donated 16 e-rickshaws to the Railways to four local railway stations including Varanasi Cantt. Varanasi City, Manduadih and Kashi so that free services can be given to the old aged persons, handicapped and others to they do not face inconveniences to reach their train compartment at different platforms.
Earlier, attire in light yellow kurta, Modi boarded himself on a e-rickshaw despite scorching heat to go to the ‘chaupal’ site after reaching DlW ground, receiving cheers of beneficiaries and others. After landing by copter at DlW Helipad from Ballia where he launched Ujjawala Yojana, PM met with selected few dignitaries and talked about the ongoing development in his parliamentary constituency.
later, the PM visited Janna Pravaha, a centre of art, in southern most part of the city on bank of river Ganga near Samne Ghat and saw the rich collections of art and met the artisans trying to keep the all traditional arts and handicraft of the region live. When Modi reached there he was welcomed in traditional way amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. Janna Pravaha was developed in mid 1990s (1997) by its Suresh Neotia and managing trustee Bimla Poddar who had received Padamshree last year by the Modi Government and within two decades, this institute has made remarkable growth in the field of art and culture, along with making rich collections of artefacts. During his staying there he talked with some dignitaries of the city.