Governance about the well-being of a nation: PM Modi in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Varanasi's Shahanshahpur village onthe secondday of his visit to hisLok Sabha constituency.

PM Modi said that for himgovernance about the well-being of a nation and not about politics or winning elections.

"For us, governance is not about politics or winning elections. The priority is the well-being of the nation," he said.

In his speech, PM Modi stressed the importance of co-operatives in the dairy sector. He highlighted the efforts the government was taking to double the income of farmers with the help of schemes such as the soil health card.

"Let us build on the strides we have made in the dairy sector. Cooperatives can help in this regard, as they have in parts of the nation," he said.

Doubling of farmers income is an area in which significant work is being done. Schemes like soil health card are benefiting farmers."

"Focus on animal health is commendable. This focus will benefit the farmers across the state," the Indian PM said.

Earlier in the day, prime minister Narendra Modi laid down the foundation stone for a toilet as a part of his "Swachhata Hi Seva"cleanliness movement. The prime minister said that the people of the village had decided to make the village Open Defecation Free (ODF).

He emphasised that cleanliness had to become a habit for it to be sustainable. He added that cleanliness was like worship for him and a way to keep the nation clean.

"Swachhata (cleanliness) has to become 'Swabhav' (habit) - it is our collective responsibility to keep our nation clean," PM Modi said.

"A clean India also means a healthier India," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Minister of State for Rural Development Mahendra Singh and BJP State Unit President Mahendra Nath Pandey were also present.

The Prime Minister, who inaugurated the Pashu Arogya Mela on the last day of his two-day visit,congratulated the Uttar Pradesh Government "especially Yogi Adityanath"for holding the animal fair.

He alsodistributedcertificates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the morning.

Yesterday, the prime minister flagged off a direct train service to Vadodara and Surat in Gujarat anddedicated a weaving centre, the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, to the nation.

PM Modi said his government wanted the works of weavers -- who constitute a major chunk of the city's population -- to be showcased globally so as to enhance their economic prospects.

He also launched several development initiatives andgifted schemes worth Rs 1,000 crore to his Lok Sabha constituency.

While addressing a public meeting, the Indian PM also lashed out at previous governments and said they seemed to hate development and "looted" public money to win elections.

PM Modi also released a postage stamp on different aspects of Lord Ram's life at the famous Tulsi Manas Mandir.