Page 30 - NIS English 16-31 May, 2026

NATION | Vikas Aur Virasat in UP

As the MP for Kashi... as the Prime Minister of the country... I seek your
blessings to achieve a major national objective... and this major objective
is—implementing reservations for women in the Lok Sabha and State
Legislative Assemblies. -Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

‘Nari Shakti’: The Strongest Pillar of a Developed India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had launched two
gathering of women at a conference held in Varanasi. pioneering schemes for girls: first, ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ to
Emphasizing the pivotal role women play in nation-building, ensure that the maximum number of girls attend school
the Prime Minister described ‘Nari Shakti’ as the strongest and complete their education; and second, ‘Mukhyamantri
pillar of a ‘Developed India’. PM Modi sought the blessings Kanya Kelavani Nidhi’ to provide financial assistance for
of those present to achieve the major national goal of their school fees. He remarked, “From that time until today,
implementing reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the welfare of women has consistently been accorded the
State Legislative Assemblies, assuring them that he would highest priority in our government’s policies.”
spare no effort to turn this right to reservation into reality. Emphasizing the significance of economic
From the venue of the women’s conference itself, empowerment, PM Modi asserted that as women’s
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated and laid the economic power grows, their voice within the family
foundation stones for various development projects worth and household becomes equally strong. Over the past
approximately ₹6,350 crore. Speaking on the occasion, the 11 years, approximately 100 million women have been
Prime Minister stated that when a woman in a household linked to SHGs, including about 125,000 sisters from
becomes empowered, the entire family gains strength; Kashi. Through these efforts, 30 million sisters have
consequently, society and the nation are strengthened as so far become ‘Lakhpati Didis’-including thousands of
well. PM Modi recalled that 25 years ago, when he became sisters from Varanasi.

A Gift to Banaras n Widening of the Varanasi-Azamgarh road.
Over
crore worth of 48 projects n Rail Overbridges at Kazzakpura and Kadipur.
₹1,050 dedicated to the nation n 55 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant at Bhagwanpur.

Two New Amrit Bharat Express Trains Flagged Off

n Two new Amrit Bharat Express trains flagged off: Banaras- n The Banaras-Pune service will facilitate easier access to the
Pune (Hadapsar) and Ayodhya-Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Kashi Vishwanath Dham, while the Ayodhya-Mumbai service
Terminus). This will enhance connectivity between Uttar will improve connectivity to the Shri Ram Mandir Teerth
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Kshetra and strengthen links between major religious sites.

Foundation Stone Laid: Varanasi Junction–Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction 3rd and 4th Railway Line Project.
Construction of a Rail-cum-Road Bridge over the River Ganga. This will improve access to the Kashi Vishwanath
Dham, the Ramnagar area, and National Highway-19, while strengthening rail connectivity with Eastern UP and Bihar.

28 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 16-31, 2026