PM Modi inaugurates Durga Puja Pandal in West Bengal

Published By : Admin | October 22, 2020 | 10:57 IST
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal as he inaugurated a puja pandal in Kolkata via video conferencing today. "The power of maa Durga and devotion of the people of Bengal is making me feel like I am present in the auspicious land of Bengal. Blessed to be able to celebrate with you," PM Modi said as he addressed the people of Bengal.

“We are celebrating Durga Puja in times of COVID-19, all devotees have shown exemplary restrain. Everyone has shown immense control and commitment to the entire arrangements while also ensuring that the flavour remains the same. The number of people might be less but the granduer and devotion are the same. The happiness and joy are still boundless. This is the real Bengal," the PM said.

While taking part in commencement of Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata via video link, PM Modi paid tribute to various eminent personalities West Bengal, who immensely contributed to the land of West Bengal as well as the entire nation.

PM Modi shed light on several Central Government schemes which benefitted women of the country like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana etc. He said, “Women hold more than 22 crore of Jan Dhan bank accounts and maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.” PM Modi also talked about several central schemes and yojanas related to woman empowerment.

The Prime Minister spoke at length about the infrastructure developmental work in Bengal, he said, “We are continuously working for the fast development of the state of West Bengal, we have approved 8,500 crore for the East-West Metro Corridor. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, houses have been constructed for around 30 lakh poor people.”

“The people of Bengal have always been intellectual and made the country proud and I have utmost faith that they will continue to lead India to a brighter future,” he remarked. Also, he asserted, “West Bengal has to play a significant role in ‘Purvodaya.”

 

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Shri R. N. Ravi, L. Murugan, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Nainar Nagendran, E. V. Velu, and my dear brothers and sisters of Tamil Nadu, Vanakkam!

I feel honoured to be in the sacred and historic city of Madurai. I bow to Meenakshi Amman and Bhagwan Sundareswarar. Today’s event marks a proud chapter in Tamil Nadu’s development journey. We have laid foundation stones, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation, projects worth over Four Thousand Four Hundred Crore Rupees. These projects will transform connectivity, boost the economy, create jobs and transform lakhs of people’s lives. Better roads for farmers to reach markets. Easier travel for pilgrims and tourists. Faster transport for businesses. Building high-quality infrastructure is about empowering people.

Friends,

Over the past twelve years, the Government of India has made huge investments in Tamil Nadu’s highway network. Over Four Thousand Kilometres of highways have been built here since 2014. Today, I am happy to lay the foundation stone for two major national highway projects. First, the four-laning of the Marakkanam–Puducherry section, with an investment of over Two Thousand One Hundred Crore Rupees. This will strengthen coastal tourism, trade and economy in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Second, the four-laning of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram stretch. In this project, we are investing over One Thousand Eight Hundred Crore Rupees. It will significantly enhance access to places like Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. This ensures ease of travel for pilgrims and smoother movement of agricultural produce and marine products.

Friends,

Over the last decade, Indian Railways has undergone a historic transformation. It is emerging as a modern, efficient and people-centric transport system. This transformation is particularly visible in Tamil Nadu. The railway budget allocation for Tamil Nadu has increased nearly nine-fold since our government came in. During 2009 to 2014, the average yearly railway allocation was Eight Hundred and Eighty Crore Rupees. In 2026–27, the allocation has increased to Seven Thousand Six Hundred Crore Rupees.

In Tamil Nadu, more than One Thousand Three Hundred Kilometres of new tracks have been laid. 97% electrification has been achieved. Hundreds of flyovers and underpasses have improved safety and efficiency. Last year, I had the privilege of inaugurating the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu. It is India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, a symbol of engineering excellence. This bridge in itself has become a major tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu.

Friends,

Right now, 9 Vande Bharat trains and 9 Amrit Bharat trains are benefitting the people of Tamil Nadu. The coaches of such high-speed trains are being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. It is a matter of pride that our vision of ‘Make in India’ is boosting self-reliance and creating jobs for our youth. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Seventy-Seven railway stations are being modernised. These stations blend comfort, accessibility and local identity. Today, we are inaugurating Eight redeveloped stations across Tamil Nadu. The dedication of the Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth line will benefit thousands of daily commuters in Chennai. I am also pleased to inaugurate Akashvani’s new FM relay transmitters in Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore. These radio stations will be dedicated to your service from today.

Friends,

Infrastructure funding to Tamil Nadu has now tripled, compared to the previous decade. And the Budget of 2026 continues the trend with a strong focus on Tamil Nadu. In this budget, we have proposed Bengaluru–Chennai and Chennai–Hyderabad bullet train corridors. They will revolutionise the economy of this whole region. The budget positions Tamil Nadu as part of the Rare Earth Corridors. Rare Earth Corridors will promote advanced manufacturing, research and technology development.

Friends,

Tamil Nadu has a rich history and heritage. Historic sites such as Adichanallur will be developed into global heritage destinations. Ecotourism initiatives around Lake Pulicat and Podhigai Malai will create new job opportunities while preserving natural ecosystems. Across the nation, around Two Hundred industrial clusters will be identified and supported, to boost manufacturing. We all know that Tamil Nadu is home to many industries and therefore, this scheme will benefit the youth here.

Friends,

Every Indian is inspired to build a developed nation by 2047. Tamil Nadu will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s destiny. Our collective goal is a developed Tamil Nadu for developed India. The Centre remains fully committed to enabling inclusive development and the state’s progress.

Nandri!