Enthusiastic response and warm welcome given by the people of Varanasi to French President Emmanuel Macron would write a new chapter of boosting tourism not only of this holy city but also of the country and it would also carry the Indo-France relations to a new height, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi after sending off Macron. He was speaking at the Diesel locomotive Works (DlW) Inter College ground on Monday evening.
“Thanks to all the Banarasis for such an unexpected and spirited welcome to Macron as it forced every French to know about Varanasi and its rich cultural heritage,” Modi said, adding that there was such big crowds on the roads and ghats that if the speed of their car was not accelerated, he could not have reached DlW in time. “In the manner the Banarasis showed their love to Macron, the entire world will remember it for long,” the PM said. He disclosed that in the coming months, the Centre would launch a massive nation-wide project, ‘Ayushmaan Bharat’, through which even the poorest of poor would be given health coverage up to Rs five lakh and about 10 crore families would be given insurance cover. The scheme that was announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the annual budget with the plans and the PM said the same would be implemented soon. Modi inaugurated several projects and laid foundation stones of several others worth nearly Rs 800 crore. He also distributed cheques and certificates to various women beneficiaries of different projects. He reiterated that his government was launching big solar energy projects in the country and in association with France, was giving a new lead for this cleaner and greener energy to the entire world. Earlier, he inaugurated Kachra Mahotsav (waste festival) and praised those who utilised the waste in constructive manner. He appealed to people to popularise cleanliness to promote tourism. The function was also attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister of State for Railway and Communications (independent charge) Manoj Sinha, UP BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State for Rural Development (independent charge) Mahendra Singh and mayor Mridula Jaiswal. Prior to this, Modi flagged off Manduadih-Patna Inter City Express from Manduadih railway station.