As his closely guarded convoy travelled to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped his car in a narrow alley jammed with people singing his name to take a ‘pagdi’ and scarf from a man on the streets of Varanasi.
The Prime Minister’s automobile was seen driving down a narrow street crowded with people and businesses shouting slogans and greeting him with flowers in the video.
PM Modi was offered a scarlet pagdi and a saffron scarf by a supporter. When security personnel resisted allowing the man to receive the gifts, the PM pressed them to do so.
The man was observed putting the hat on the Prime Minister’s had and scarf while keeping his hands folded.
Government sources dubbed the video “The Common Man’s PM” moment after it was shared.
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PM Modi prayed at the Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi, his Uttar Pradesh constituency, this morning before unveiling a gigantic corridor connecting the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Ganga ghats.
In a double-decker boat, PM Modi and the Chief Minister arrived at the Kashi Vishwanath temple to open the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The project is estimated to cost 339 crores.
The significant event, which is crucial for the BJP ahead of the state elections next year, is being attended by all BJP chief ministers and around 3,000 seers.
This is the Prime Minister’s third initiative in Uttar Pradesh in less than a week. He announced projects worth Rs 9,600 crore in Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath’s stronghold, and the Saryu Canal project in Balrampur just last week. He’ll be in the state for two additional engagements later this month.
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In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office on Sunday said a “total of 23 buildings will be inaugurated in the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath project that offers myriad facilities to the visitors – Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, Food Court, among others.”