The visit assumes significance as the Prime Minister is coming to West Bengal, after his party has come to power for the first time in the state in the recently concluded state assembly elections.
Photo: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to kickstart his two-day visit to West Bengal on Saturday with Paschimbanga Divas celebrations in Hooghly district, a place associated with Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, widely regarded as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological founder.
The visit assumes significance as the Prime Minister is coming to West Bengal, after his party has come to power for the first time in the state in the recently concluded state assembly elections.
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This year’s theme, “West Bengal: Heritage, Harmony and Development”, seeks to highlight the state’s cultural heritage, social harmony and developmental aspirations.
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Modi will also be leading the 12th International Yoga Day observances and attending a key defence programme at Kolkata’s Red Road under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” on Sunday.
The visit will focus on development initiatives, agriculture, infrastructure, welfare measures and defence preparedness. The Prime Minister will also launch, inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several projects across the state.
Ahead of his visit, Modi posted a message on his X handle on Friday night, outlining his engagements and highlighting the significance of the programmes.
Writing in Bengali, he said: “I will be in West Bengal over the next two days to participate in various programmes. June 20 is especially significant as we celebrate West Bengal Day. The event at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district is associated with Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and his efforts to preserve Bengal’s culture. Several development projects will be launched there.”
He added that the 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN would be released from Hooghly’s Tarakeswar, the cash transfer scheme for farmers under which over Rs 18,880 crore will be transferred directly to more than 9.44 crore farmers across the country. In West Bengal alone, over 45 lakh beneficiaries are expected to receive more than Rs 900 crore.
Referring to agricultural initiatives, he wrote that key central government schemes including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Agri Stack under the Digital Agriculture Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming and Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana would be launched in the state.
On the Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata, Modi wrote: “I am extremely happy that Kolkata is hosting the Yoga Day programme.”
Referring to the commissioning of three naval ships at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, he added that INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray would strengthen the country’s security while reflecting India’s resolve towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The vessels designed by the Indian Navy and built in Kolkata with substantial indigenous participation is aimed at strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals.
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