Gujarat: At mother's feet on her b'day, PM Narendra Modi hails motherland

VADODARA: PM Narendra Modi on Saturday unfurled red 'dhwaja' (flag) atop spire of 11th century Mahakali temple in Pavagadh of Panchmahal district and said 'spiritual and cultural glory' was being restored across the country.
Modi began his visit to home state ahead of the assembly election due in December, by visiting his mother Heeraba who entered the 100th year of her life.During the half an hour he spent with her, the PM offered her sweets, washed her feet and took her blessings and also gifted her a shawl and chatted with her while sitting at her feet.
New India keeping heritage alive: Modi
Later while launching ‘Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan’ in Vadodara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that empowerment of women was necessary for speedy development of 21st century India and making the lives of women easier and providing them growth opportunities are among the top priorities of his government.
At Pavagadh, Modi unfurled a red ‘dhwaja’ on the spire of the Mahakali temple and said that even after 75 years of independence, the temple did not have its ‘dhwaja’ that has been missing for five centuries now. “Today it is there. After centuries, this Mahakali temple is in its full glory before us and makes our heads rise with pride,” the PM said.
“Grand Ram temple is being built at Ayodhya. The Kashi Vishwanath temple complex has also been rebuilt and the same is the case with the Kedarnath temple. Our spiritual and cultural glory of India is being restored across the country. The redevelopment of Mahakali temple at Pavagadh is part of the same ‘gaurav yatra’,” Modi said.
He said that the new India is keeping its ancient heritage and identity alive along with its modern aspirations. The ‘shikhara’ or spire of the temple, which was destroyed during an attack by Mahmud Begda around 500 years ago, has been restored as part of the redevelopment of the temple.
Later in the day, speaking at the ‘Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan’ programme organized at the Leprosy ground on Ajwa Road in Vadodara, Modi said that Saturday was ‘Matru Vandana’ day for him. “Today morning, I took the blessings of ‘janm datri’ (referring to Heeraba who entered her 100th year of life). Later, I got the blessings of Jagat Janani Maa Kaali (referring to Goddess Maa Kali at Pavagadh).
And now, I have got the opportunity to take blessings of this massive ‘Matru Shakti’,” said PM, after launching Mukhya Mantri Matrushakti Yojana and Poshan Sudha Yojana – targeted towards the nutritional needs of pregnant women. “Rapid development of women, their empowerment is important for the rapid development of 21st century India,” said PM addressing a large group of women.