Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that development of Kashi can be a roadmap for the entire country. Inaugurating the All India Mayors’ Conference, held in Varanasi today, via video conference, he said most of the cities in our country are traditional cities, developed in a traditional way.
In this era of modernization, the antiquity of these cities is equally important. He remarked that these cities can teach us how to preserve heritage and local skills. The Prime Minister insisted that destroying the existing structures is not the way but emphasis should be on rejuvenation and preservation. This should be done in accordance with the requirements of modern times.
The Prime Minister called for healthy competition between the cities for cleanliness and wondered if there can be new categories for recognizing the cities that are making the best efforts to achieve cleanliness along with the best performing cities. He also insisted on the beautification of cities along with cleanliness.
Modi asked the mayor to create a sense of healthy competition between the wards of their cities in this regard. He also asked the Mayors to run programmes related to ‘Azadi ka Marit Mahotsav’ such as freedom struggle themed ‘rangoli’ competitions, Songs competition on freedom struggle and Lullaby (Lori) competition, which the Prime Minister has been insisting on, in his speeches and Mann ki Baat.
The Prime Minister also suggested that the Mayors should find out and celebrate birthdays of the cities and celebrate them. Cities with rivers should celebrate the River Festival (Nadi Utsav). He stressed the need to spread the glory of the rivers so that people take pride in them and keep them clean. “Rivers should be brought back to the centre of city life.
This will bring a new life to your cities.” said the Prime Minister. He asked the Mayors to revitalise the campaign against the elimination of single-use plastic. He asked the Mayors to look for ways of creating wealth from waste. “Our city should be clean and healthy too, this should be our effort”, he said.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri were among those present on the occasion.
