Top News
Kashi experience to change as PM lays foundation of ambitious project on Friday
By Mohit Dubey
Varanasi, March 6 (IANS) For the teeming millions – devotees, pilgrims or tourists from both India and abroad – the very experience of being in Kashi is set for a major makeover in the next 18-20 months with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for the Rs 600 crore ‘Kashi Vishwanath Corridor’ in his parliamentary constituency on Friday.
Once complete, the entry and exit points and the surroundings of the fabled Kashi Vishwanath temple, built by Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780, will drastically change forever.
Officials told IANS on Wednesday that the detailed project report (DPR) of the ambitious project, is aimed at decongesting reorganising and beautifying the circulating area around the temple. Under the Uttar Pradesh government’s control since 1983, the seat of Shiva draws millions every year but most of them complain about the dingy bylanes and the temple’s congested entry and exit points.
Modi, who has visited and prayed at the sanctum sanctorum thrice in the last five years, has been keenly pursuing this ambitious project, which is being directly monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kashi Vishwanath trust Vishal Singh, said the makeover would be such that it wows everyone who visits Kashi, one of the most ancient cities on earth.
While the old lanes would be maintained as they are, largely to preserve Kashi’s vintage look, two 40-foot corridors on either side of the river will connect the fabled Manikarnika Ghat and Lalita Ghat to the temple.
The district administration has successfully overcome the protests and resistance by some local groups and purchased 228 of the 276 buildings, homes and other properties that were in the way of the ambitious project. Most of the remaining belong to government-run Trusts and would be readily available, an official privy to the project said.
“The cost of the dilapidated buildings, some of which have fallen down, in narrow areas like Bramhanal, Neelkanth and Lahori Tola has been paid to the satisfaction of the owners,” Vishal Singh pointed out.
The ‘Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Vistarikaran-Saundarayakaran Yojana’ (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Extension and Beautification Plan) would be rolled out in four phases.
In the first, work would be taken up on opening up of the areas around the temple and on queue management. The second phase would see the reconstruction of ancient temples falling in the 10,000 square metres between gates 2 and 3.
In the third phase a museum to showcase the ancient Kashi, rest houses and a library would be constructed, along with the two 40-foot corridors. A grand stage would be constructed on the Manikarnika Ghat in the fourth phase.
The makeover includes Shiv Bhajans and classical devotional music of local masters to be played as the pilgrims walk through the corridor and lanes to reach the temple.
Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism and Religious Affairs) Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi told IANS that it would be the first time “that refurbishment, beautification and planned development of the temple precincts was being taken up on such a grand scale”.
The project will get underway soon after Modi lays the foundation stone, he added.
(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
md/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
