Narendra Modi blogs his vision for Varanasi

VARANASI: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who is contesting Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi, has outlined his priorities for the city in a recent blog.

He has promised to eliminate mafia, revival of cottage, handicraft and handloom industries besides Varanasi's transformation into the country's intellectual capital. 

"Today, Varanasi is suffering because of poor roads, violence, traffic-jams and short supply of electricity and water. A big reason for these problems is the apathetic attitude of the Central and state governments," wrote Modi. 

"The interference of mafias and thekedars in the government departments is also one of the reasons. I promise that from Centre to Varanasi, the domination of mafias involved in looting public funds will be entirely eliminated." 

He said despite being a major tourist attraction and a hub of handicrafts and arts, unemployment has emerged as a major problem in Varanasi. 

"Banarasi Paan and Banarasi saree, which were the biggest trend of city market, are now fighting for their survival. We could not create a new brand for Banaras and the old ones are also losing their sheen," he said. 

"The need of the hour is to restore the rich heritage of Varanasi. The cottage, handicrafts and handloom industries must be revived to generate employment locally. It will also bring back the lost prestige of the city. All this would not be possible without better civic amenities." 

He said he would develop Kashi as the centre of cultural and intellectual activities from where the stream of knowledge would flow uninterrupted. 

"The world famous educational institutions, including Banaras Hindu University and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, require constant care and up gradation because they are important to ignite the light of knowledge in the entire Purvanchal, including Bhojpuri region." 

He cited the city's spiritual, religious and cultural importance. "Maa Ganga (river Ganga) is struggling for existence. Even after spending thousands of crores the condition of the river could not be improved." 

Modi wrote Varanasi is not only regarded as the most pious city of the Hindu culture, but also holds vital importance in Jainism and Buddhism. "It was Varanasi where the Shehnaai of Bharat Ratna Bismillah Khan kept echoing the Hindu-Muslim unity." 

He blamed the UPA government for poor governance and added it has pushed India back by decades. Modi recalled the BJP-led NDA government "when the think-tanks and philosophers around the world pronounced that the 21st Century would belong to India". He said a decade of Congress-led UPA rule left the story of the prospering India incomplete. 

"The image of the country's politics reflects in Varanasi, so let us begin from here," he said. "It is here from where the powerful stream of Ganga turns directions. Thus, the start of the biggest change will also begin from Varanasi." 

Modi hoped the country would again move towards good governance and this message initiated from the Varanasi will light a new hope in the entire country. "Varanasi shall set in motion of the wheels of change that will take India on the path of good governance." 

The local BJP unit has circulated the printed version of the blog, which was written on Wednesday.