Govt working to make Varanasi an economic hub: Prez Kovind

Varanasi has linked northern India with eastern parts through river Ganga and by road since ancient times and efforts like Eastern Freight Corridor and highway projects are steps in this spirit as the government is working to make the city an economic hub, President Ram Nath Kovind said today.

Kovind attended various events organised by the Uttar Pradesh government and the National Highways Authority of India in Varanasi today.

"Varanasi has linked northern India with eastern India through waterways on the Ganga as well as by road. The Ganga has contributed to the culture and civilisation of city, and the region, and also to trade and development. Today, the effort is to renew this spirit. Varanasi, through the National Waterways-I, the Eastern Freight Corridor and various highway projects, is re-emphasising its location as the gateway for the northern states to eastern India," he said at one of the events here.

The government is focusing on infrastructure and connectivity to make Varanasi an economic hub, he added according to an official statement.

"Varanasi offers enormous opportunities in tourism, which can lead to large-scale employment generation. Varanasi's handicrafts are well-regarded and world famous," he said.

He said the Ganga river was a sign of culture and civilization from the ancient times and had also supported business and development.

Kovind said he was happy to note that several schemes had been undertaken to provide modern facilities to crafts-persons and connect their traditional skills to modern technology as well as new markets.

He was confident that the Deendayal Upadhyay Hastkala Sankul, where the function was being hosted, would help artisans in the Varanasi region enhance incomes and create jobs.

The President said he was certain that with its legacy and heritage and the knowledge, wisdom and talent of its people Varanasi would continue to be a leading city in the 21st century.

He was glad to learn of the initiatives of the Union and state Governments in this regard, the statement said.

Later in the day, the president received the first copy of the Sanskrit translation of the book Charaiveti! Charaiveti!!', written by Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said Naik had left a distinct impression on public life through five decades of dedication and selfless service. In this book, he has shared his experiences, and has spelt out his philosophy to work relentlessly, without being affected by setbacks and successes, he said.

At the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Trade Facilitation Centre at Badalalpur here, the president laid the foundation stone of two important NHAI road projects worth Rs 3,473 crores , including the four laning of NH-7 Varanasi to Hanumana (Madhya Pradesh border) via Mirzapur and another the construction of Varanasi Ring Road Phase -2 (Bypass road).

He also distributed appointment letters to ten youths ,who were selected during a job fair organised by the state government .He also visited stalls of various companies that recently held training and recruitment drive in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency.

He said Modi's efforts has helped in highlighting the city on the world platform that had attracted the French president and German president to visit the ancient city recently.

He said that last year Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visited Varanasi with Modi, and last month it was French president Emmanuel Macron, and recently German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.