‘The joy found in Kashi…’ 10 great things about PM Modi’s speech in Varanasi

During the ceremony, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi by presenting him with an Indian cricket team T-shirt. CM Yogi presented the statue of Nandi to PM Modi on stage. BCCI Secretary Jai Shah presented a bat to PM Modi. Rajeev Shukla also presented a bat to PM Modi.

PM Modi in his speech also said that after the completion of this stadium, more than 30,000 people will be able to sit here and watch matches. Ever since the pictures of these stadiums surfaced, every resident of Kashi has been excited to see them.

He also said that today the world is connecting with India through cricket. New countries are coming forward to play cricket. Obviously the number of cricket matches is going to increase in the coming days. New stadiums will be needed if the number of matches increases. Then this international cricket stadium in Banaras will fulfill this demand. He is going to become the bright star of the entire eastern region.

While laying the foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi also said that the stadium in the city of ‘Mahadev’ will be dedicated to ‘Mahadev’. The players here will benefit if the international stadium is built in Kashi. As the MP for Kashi, I would like to thank BCCI for their assistance in building the first international stadium here.

PM Modi said that our endeavor is to provide high level sports facilities to the youth of Varanasi. With this in mind, about 400 crore rupees are being spent on this new stadium as well as the Sigra Stadium. India’s success in sports is a testament to the changing attitude towards sports.

He further said that we have linked sports with youth fitness, employment and career. The government is supporting the players at all levels. Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is one such scheme of the government. This year the central sports budget has been increased three times compared to 9 years ago. The Khelo India program budget has increased by nearly 70% over last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that this is India’s first multi-level sports complex to be developed keeping in mind the needs of the disabled. India recently created history at the World University Games. In the history of these games, India alone has won more medals this year than the total number of medals won in the last few decades.

Prime Minister Modi also said that the Asian Games are also starting from today. I wish all the best to all the Indian players going to participate in these games. Today, due to the Khelo India campaign, talent is being identified in every corner of the country at a very young age. The government is taking all kinds of steps to identify the players and develop them as international level athletes.

Prime Minister Modi also said that the foundation stone of the stadium laid today is not just a brick-concrete ground but will become a symbol of future India. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme is an effort by the government to provide food, training and funding to the country’s top athletes.

Referring to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, he also said its results will be seen in the recently held World University Games where India has created history by winning more medals in this year’s tournament than in the last few decades.