India’s success no longer bound by old ways: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the country’s success is no longer bound by old ways and a “new India” has a new vision to be one of the leading economies in the future.

While addressing a meeting at Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister said, “India’s success is no longer bound by the old ways; new India has a new vision to be one of the leading economies in the future.” Prime Minister Modi after inaugurating various re-development projects worth Rs 130 crores in Kedarnath, said the new development projects will enhance the journey of devotees to the holy shrine. “The improved amenities and safety measures ensure that we are prepared for future calamities,” he said.

He further lauded the efforts of the Uttarakhand government for working proactively in connecting Char Dham with well-constructed roads and highways “which will help in boosting tourism initiatives and employment in the state”.

“I thank the Uttarakhand government, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami, and all those who have taken responsibility for these works and development,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that these pilgrim centres were not limited to tourism and a source of enjoyment but rather a “way of living for Indians and makes us who we are”.

“India is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and making new goals for development and success,” said PM Modi.

While expressing happiness over the redevelopment work at Kedarnath which experienced severe damage in the 2013 floods, he said, “After the 2013 destruction, people who came here used to think will our Kedar Dham stand up again? But a voice within me always told me that Kedarnath would be redeveloped with more pride than ever before.” Speaking about the devastation caused by the floods, the Prime Minister said, “At the time, I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat but I could not stop myself and rushed here. I witnessed that destruction and pain.”

“I feel fortunate enough that we successfully initiated these development projects in Kedarnath,” the PM added.

He also said, “I was able to successfully initiate these development projects in Kedarnath due to my experience of handling earthquakes in Kutch in 2001.”

He also inaugurated various re-development projects worth Rs 130 crore in Kedarnath. These projects include Saraswati Retaining Wall Aasthapath and Ghats, Mandakini Retaining Wall Aasthapath, Tirth Purohit Houses and Garud Chatti bridge on river Mandakini. Earlier in the day, he unveiled the statue of Adi Shankaracharya at the premises of the Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district. The samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya has been reconstructed after its destruction in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

Before the inauguration, the Prime Minister offered prayers and performed aarti at the ancient temple. He paid obeisance to Lord Shiva and undertook circumambulation of the Kedarnath shrine after offering prayers.

Located on the bank of the Mandakini river, Kedarnath Temple is the of the four ancient pilgrimage sites referred to as “Char Dham”, which also include Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath. Built in the 8th century AD by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya, Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.