PM Modi
On Sunday, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in Assam asserted that those in positions of authority following independence were unable to appreciate the importance of houses of worship and that, for political reasons, they began to feel ashamed of their own cultural heritage. After revealing infrastructure projects totaling Rs 11,600 crore, Modi spoke at a sizable crowd in Guwahati and remarked that no nation can advance by ignoring its past.
Regarding the Kamakhya temple corridor project, which the Centre plans to expand at an expense of Rs 498 crore, he stated that when it is completed, a great number of devotees will visit the “Shakti Peeth,” which will stimulate the tourism industry throughout the Northeast. According to him, the “Kamakhya Divyalok Pariyojana” will guarantee a total transformation in the pilgrimage experience to the Shakti shrine.
Comments targeted at Congress
The Prime Minister asserted that individuals in charge of the government for an extended period following independence were unable to see the importance and worth of these houses of worship and chose to ignore them.
“Due to political benefits, they started a trend of becoming ashamed of their own culture and past. No country can develop by forgetting and wiping out its past, and cutting its roots,” he said.
“However, the situation has changed in the last 10 years,” Modi said, adding the BJP-led ‘double-engine’ government’s policy is that of development and protection of heritage.
He said the government’s focus on the development of heritage has massively benefitted the youth of the country. “In the last one year, 8.5 crore people visited Kashi, more than 5 crore visited Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and over 19 lakh devotees visited Kedardham. In just 12 days of the consecration of Ram temple, Ayodhya has witnessed over 24 lakh visitors,” the PM said. The livelihood of even the poorest gets a boost with the increase in the number of pilgrims to such heritage sites, he said.
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PM Modi in Assam
While on a two-day visit to Assam, the prime minister gave the state’s example, stating that it is a location where modernism is related to spirituality, history, and beliefs.
“Today, the youth want to see that Assam and Northeast are developed at par with South Asia. Your dream is Modi’s resolution. Modi will leave no stone unturned to fulfill your dream. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he added. In addition, the prime minister stated that over 7,000 people had given up their weapons and reintegrated into society in the past ten years, and that peace had returned to Assam.
“More than 10 major peace accords have been signed. At one point of time, I worked in Assam for the party. I have seen with my eyes incidents like road blockades and bomb blasts in Guwahati. It is a matter of past now,” he said. According to Modi, interstate boundary conflicts are being settled, and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has been removed from various regions in the state and region.
“A record number of tourists have visited the Northeast in the past decade. We will launch a new scheme for uplifting historical places and that is why we have focussed on tourism in this year’s budget. There is a huge opportunity in Assam and Northeast for that. Northeast is a focus area for the BJP,” he said. The PM claimed that expenditure for developmental activities in the region has been ramped up by four times in the last 10 years.
