Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a noteworthy visit to Varanasi, his parliamentary seat, on October 20, 2024. It was his first visit since June 18. He officially opened a number of projects worth ₹6,700 crore during this tour, with particular attention paid to the RJ Shankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi. Modi stressed that his government was dedicated to turning Varanasi into a regional center for healthcare, but other administrations had disregarded the requirements of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
“Kashi’s identity has been that of a center of religion and spirituality for a long time, but now, it is also set to emerge as a big center of healthcare,” Modi said in his speech. This underscores the government’s goal of promoting cutting-edge medical facilities alongside Varanasi’s spiritual history in order to elevate the city’s reputation beyond its historical and cultural relevance.
Modi went on to highlight the economic advancements made possible by his administration, asserting that 25 crore people had climbed out of poverty in the last ten years. He claimed that in order to assure the wellbeing of the populace, this upliftment required a significant focus on healthcare. The RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is anticipated to assist not just the local populace but also people from 20 districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjacent border territories in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. It is the 14th hospital run by the Kanchi Math in India. This wide reach indicates the hospital’s ability to increase a substantial number of people’s access to healthcare.
Modi had a meeting with Shri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi, prior to the inauguration. “Narendra Damodardas ka Anushasan” is the new acronym that the Shankaracharya introduced for the NDA government during their meeting. He praised the government’s efforts in both infrastructure development and cultural revitalization, pointing to the restoration initiatives at Somnath in Gujarat and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand as instances of this combined approach.
In general, Modi’s visit and the opening of the eye hospital highlight the government’s dedication to enhancing Varanasi’s healthcare system, which is consistent with its overarching plan to improve the area’s social and economic standing. The government wants to make Varanasi a better place to live while preserving its historical significance. To that end, it is turning the city into a healthcare facility.
SOURCE :
THE HINDU