PM Modi In Varanasi: 'New Agricultural Reforms Have Given Farmers New Options & Legal Protection’

PM Modi in UP, Dev Deepawali Celebrations: PM will celebrate Dev Deepawali in his parliamentary constituency Kashi by lighting a diya (earthen lamp) on Varanasi's Raj Ghat, after which 11 lakh diyas will be lighted across both sides of Ganga.

Images: ANI

PM in Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency Kashi on Dev Deepawali on Monday to participate in the 'Dev Deepawali' celebrations, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He inaugurated the six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19. After the inauguration of the highway stretch, Prime Minister Modi addressed a public meet and said that Varanasi is getting improved infrastructure on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali, which will benefit both Varanasi and Prayagraj. "Along with beautification of Kashi in past years, we can now witness benefit of work done on connectivity here. New highways, flyovers, widening of roads to reduce traffic jams, work currently being done in and around Varanasi has never happened since independence," he said hailing the ongoing development projects of the city. PM Modi on farm bills: After inauguration of the Varanasi Prayagaj Highway project, while addressing the people of Varanasi, PM Modi said that the new agricultural reforms have given farmers new options and legal protection. His statement comes amid the ongoing protest of the farmer at the border of the national capital. "Farmers are being empowered by giving them options for a bigger market. Reforms are being done in the interest of farmers, which will give them more options. Shouldn't a farmer get freedom to sell his produce directly to those who give them better prices and facilities," he said. He hailed the progress of farmers in Varanasi whose produce are now being exported to other countries. "For the first time, produce of Varanasi farmers is being exported to foreign countries at a large scale. Varanasi's Langda & Dussehri mangoes are spreading their fragrance in London & middle-east...Mango farmers need not go to other cities for packaging now," he said. Dev Diwali celebrations in evening: Dev Deepawali has now become a world renowned festival of lights marked in Kashi every year. The festival of Dev Deepawali is observed on every Poornima of the Kartik month, i.e. on the full moon of the Hindu calendar month Kartika — 15 days after Diwali. To celebrate the grand event, the Prime Minister will light a diya (earthen lamp) on Varanasi's Raj Ghat, after which 11 lakh diyas will be lighted across both sides of Ganga. PM Modi is expected to spend 6 hours 40 minutes in his parliamentary constituency on Monday. On the occasion, the Prime Minister  flagged off the six lane widening project of the Prayagraj-Varanasi (Handia-Rajatalab) section of National Highway 19. He will also go on a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor project and the Sarnath archaeological site. The Prime Minister tweeted, "Tomorrow, on the auspicious occasion of Dev Diwali, I will get the privilege of being among the people of my parliamentary constituency Varanasi. During this time, I will get the opportunity to visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor and Sarnath as well as inaugurate the road widening project between Varnasi-Prayagraj. "

With the upcoming visit, the city is prepared to host the Prime Minister’s  with security personnel and the dog squad reviewing the security at the ghats. They were thoroughly checking other locations near Rajghat as well, as per the news agency ANI. What's on the agenda? Earlier, this month PM has inaugurated various projects worth Rs 614 crore in Varanasi. On his Visit, Modi will inaugurate the six-lane widening project of the Handia (Prayagraj) - Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19. The 73-km stretch of the newly widened and six laned NH19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2447 crore, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. During the visit to his parliamentary constituency, the Prime Minister will also visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project site to review its progress. He will also witness the light and sound show at the archaeological site of Sarnath, which he had inaugurated earlier this month.