PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Assi Ghat; nominates Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav among others for Swachh Bharat Mission

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at 'Assi Ghat' at river Ganga. The event is a part of his two-day visit to Varanasi.

He also participated in Ganga cleanliness drive at the ghat. 'I have been assured this ghat will be cleaned in a month. I am confident that Ganga will be cleaned up. I have nominated 9 people for the task,' he said.

"I have started the cleanliness drive here and the social organisations have assured me that this entire 'ghat' will be cleaned as soon as possible," added Modi.

Modi nominated people well known in their professional field for the cleanliness drive. Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, Bhojpuri playback singer Manoj Tiwari, cricketers Mohammed Kaif and Suresh Raina, comedian Raju Shrivastav, Manu Sharma, singer Kailash Kher, Padma Shri Devi Parsad Dwivedi, Swami Rambhadracharya.

PM Narendra Modi, on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum to develop and promote handloom products of Varanasi. Modi also adopted Jayapur village under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana(MPs' Model Village Scheme). This is the Prime Minister’s first visit to his Lok Sabha constituency after assuming the charge in New Delhi.

Later in the day he is visited the Mata Anandamayee Hospital to take first hand stock of the functioning.

Before flying back to the national capital, the Prime Minister will also pay a visit to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

(With agency inputs)