The ceremony commenced with the Prime Minister conducting the ‘bhoomi pujan’ and laying the foundation stone in Badtuma village. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, governor Mangubhai Patel, and Union minister Virendra Kumar were also present during the event.
With deep reverence, Prime Minister Modi bowed before the idol of Sant Ravidas, expressing his respect. During the event, he also took the time to inspect a miniature model of the forthcoming memorial-cum-temple.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the state began with his arrival at Khajuraho airport, followed by a helicopter journey to Badtuma, where the inauguration took place. Later in the day, he is scheduled to address a public gathering in Dhana, in the same district, where he will inaugurate the Bina-Kota railway line project’s expansion and lay the foundation stones for various road projects.
These initiatives serve as the culmination of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s ongoing ‘Samrasta (Harmony) Yatras,’ which were initiated from five locations in the state on July 25. Officials have outlined that the temple-cum-memorial, dedicated to the esteemed social reformer, will occupy a spacious 11-acre land area. This monumental structure will not only embody the teachings of Sant Ravidas but will also provide residential facilities for devotees, in addition to housing a museum, art gallery, and other amenities.
This is the Prime Minister’s second visit to the BJP-ruled state, where assembly polls are due by the year-end, in just over a month. On July 1, Modi interacted with tribal leaders, women who were members of self-help groups and young football players at Pakaria village in Shahdol district.
(With inputs from PTI)
