Kashi will emerge as significant healthcare centre with top-notch facilities: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct 20 inaugurated the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in his Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh and asserted that Kashi – traditionally known as a centre of religion and spirituality – will now emerge as a significant centre for healthcare with various top-notch facilities.

In his first visit to Varanasi since June 18 this year, Modi slammed previous governments for neglecting eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Modi said, "For a long time, Kashi's identity has been that of a centre of religion and spirituality, but now it is also set to emerge as a big centre of healthcare with various top-of-the-line health treatment facilities."

Reciting the Sanskrit couplet "Tamaso ma jyotirgamay – lead me from darkness to light, Modi said that he was feeling "blessed" to be back in Varanasi again.

" For a long time, Kashi's identity has been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but now, it will emerge as a big centre of healthcare with various top-of-the-line health treatment facilities now available in Varanasi," he said.

"In a decade, 25 crore people have emerged from poverty and that is why, our government is paying special attention to ensure people remain healthy," he added.

Commenting on the health facility, Modi said, "I have just come back after seeing this eye hospital, it is a blend of spirituality and modernity. This hospital will serve the elderly as well as children."

The hospital is the 14th health facility to be run by the Kanchi Math in the country. Modi met with the Shankaracharya of Kanchi before the inauguration. Modi also paid obeisance at the statue of the former Shankaracharya.

With the blessings of the Shankaracharya, Kashi and Purvanchal have got another modern hospital, he said.

On the occasion, Modi remembered one of India's most celebrated investors, Rakesh Jhunjhunla, after whom the eye hospital has been named, and called him his friend.

“I remember that I had requested Sankara Eye Hospital and Chitrakoot Eye Hospital to come to Varanasi. I am thankful to both institutions that they respected the request of the people of Kashi.”

Jhunjhunwala, a prominent figure in the Indian financial market, died in August 2022. Modi said Jhunjhunwala's family was taking his legacy forward.

Encouraging the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh, Modi said, “I urge the youth to become the pivot of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament of Kashi, I am committed to bringing forward as many young people as possible.”

The hospital will benefit people of 20 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as those living in the border areas of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, people associated with the Kanchi Math were quoted as saying.

Pertinently, Modi who was on a day-long visit to Varanasi also launched several development initiatives, including multiple airport projects across the country worth over ₹ 6,700 crore.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi also laid the foundation stone for airport runway expansion, construction of a new terminal building, and other allied work at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, worth around ₹ 2,870 crore.