Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express today in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. He also flagged off the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express virtually. Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone of the redevelopment works of the Gorakhpur Railway Station which will be completed at an estimated cost of around Rs. 498 crore.
Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Geeta Press. He praised Gita Press for its contribution to society. Mr. Modi said Gita Press is an institution which has always enriched social values and shown the path of duty to the people. The Prime Minister said Gita Press has a national character and it unites India and strengthens the unity of the country.
Mr. Modi also released the chitramaya Shiva Purana granth and the Nepali version of the Shiva Mahapurana. He also visited the Leela Chitra temple in the Gita Press. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied the Prime Minister.
Our correspondent reports that the Gita Press is the world’s largest publisher of Hindu spiritual texts including Ramacharitmanas, Gita, Upanishads and Puranas. The press was established in 1923 by Jaya Dayal Goyanka for promoting the principles of Sanatana Dharma. In its journey of 100 years, the historic press has published over 93 crore books in 15 languages on 1800 varied topics. Recently, the historic press has been conferred with the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to write regular columns for its monthly magazine Kalyan, which is also one of the best-selling publications of the Gita Press. The press has a grand entrance gate, which was inaugurated by the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1955. Former President Ram Nath Kovind also visited the Gita Press in Gorakhpur last year to kickstart the centenary celebrations of the prestigious press. To avoid the pressure of the market forces, neither the press publishes advertisements in its publications, nor does it take donations. The publications of the press are made available to the public at the printing cost.
Later in the evening, the Prime Minister will visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of multiple development projects worth over 12,100 crore rupees. He will also dedicate to the nation three railway lines whose electrification or doubling has been completed. This will mark the completion of 100 percent electrification of railway lines in Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of redesigning and redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats in Varanasi. Mr. Modi will also hold a meeting with the BJP workers in his parliamentary constituency late in the evening.
