On Saturday, after inaugurating a slew of projects, PM Modi gave a clarion call to the entire nation to prepare for the historic moment of the “pran pratishtha” on January 22.
“The whole world is waiting for the historic moment of the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22,” PM Modi said at a mega rally in Ayodhya while appealing to people to not come on the day itself due to the logistical concerns.
The flower-bedecked temple town, associated with the Ramayana for centuries and at the centrestage of modern day politics since the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, was the centre of attention as PM Modi said the strength of ‘vikas’ (development) and ‘virasat’ (heritage) would take India forward.
Stressing on Ayodhya’s global attraction and perpetual significance, the Prime Minister urged a collective effort to make it the nation’s cleanest town.
Earlier in the day, at the inauguration of Maharshi Valmiki airport and the revamped Ayodhya Dham station, where two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains were flagged off, both physically and virtually, PM Modi called for nationwide lighting of diyas on January 22, aiming to unite the nation in celebrating the temple’s glory.
Calling January 22 a “special day”, PM Modi also urged people to launch cleanliness drives at pilgrimage sites and temples across the country from Makar Sankranti on January 14 till the temple consecration day.
‘From tent to pucca house’
In a packed day in Ayodhya, PM Modi delicately intertwined the government’s politics of development with its resolve to preserve the country’s heritage.
There was a time Lord Ram was “living under a tent”, but now he will get a concrete house like the four crore poor who got pucca houses, PM Modi said during his rally.
The Ujjwala scheme, he said, had transformed the lives of crores of mothers and sisters. Only 14 crore gas connections were given in five decades, but his government in a decade gave 18 crore, including 10 crore free of cost under the scheme, the Prime Minister pointed out.
“Our heritage inspires us, shows us the right path. Therefore, today’s India is moving forward by assimilating both the old and the new. Today, not only Ram Lalla has got a pucca house, but four crore poor people have also got pucca houses,” he said.
“Today, India is not only beautifying its pilgrimage sites but is also dominating the world of technology,” he said. “The joint strength of ‘vikas’ (development) and ‘virasat’ (heritage) will take Bharat ahead in the 21st century.”
“Today in the country, not only Kedar Dham has been revived, but more than 315 new medical colleges have also been built. Today, not only Mahakal Mahalok has been constructed in the country, but more than two lakh water tanks have also been built to supply water to every house,” he said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also visited the house of an Ujjwala beneficiary Meera Majhi. He met the family in her humble home and was also seen drinking a cup of tea.
Ayodhya gets new airport, revamped station
With the Centre seeking to turn the temple town into a hotspot for religious tourism, PM Modi on Saturday unveiled the new airport – Maharshi Valmiki International Airport – as well as the revampled railway station, which will now be known as Ayodhya Dham.
The Phase-I of the redeveloped station has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 240 crore.
The three-storey railway station building is equipped with features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops for puja needs, cloak rooms, child care rooms and waiting halls.
The facade of the railway station is inspired by traditional temple architecture.
The station building is “accessible for all” and an “IGBC certified green station building”, according to officials
Meanwhile, the Phase-1 of the airport has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,450 crore.
The airport’s terminal building will have an area of 6,500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually.
The facade of the terminal building depicts the architecture of the upcoming Ram temple in Ayodhya, while its interiors are decorated with paintings and murals depicting the life of Lord Ram.
The airport will improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism, business activities and employment opportunities.
(With inputs from agencies)
