Kashi: In with the Old, In with the New

One of the oldest living cities in the world, Banaras is also where Shiva, the Lord of All, is believed to have made his home since the dawn of creation: Diana L. Eck

By Rohit Kumar Singh

One of the twelve holiest Jyotirlingas, Kashi Vishwanath is a shining example of India’s ancient spiritual and cultural traditions.

The subtle interplay of ancient tradition and modernized infrastructure made for a poetic backdrop as PM Modi chanted Har Har Mahadev. Having borne fruition, his vision of rejuvenating the Kashi Vishwanath complex, from what seemed like an insurmountable feat, was being realized and how at that moment.

The renovated heritage corridor connects the iconic temple, with the ghats along the river Ganga, making it a spiritual delight for pilgrims and tourists alike. Over 40 ancient temples were uncovered and restored during the metamorphosis.

It is also believed that it was in Kashi that sage Ved Vyas first preached the four Vedas. The microcosm that Kashi is, has nurtured giants like Kabir Das, Premchand to Bismillah Khan, and Girija Devi.

It is no coincidence PM Modi chose the very Kashi as the platform to amplify his ambitious and timely vision of reclamation and rejuvenation of our “knowledge” society. He exhorted the nation and its people with three asks – Swachhata (cleanliness), Srijan (creation and innovation), and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

PM Modi highlighted our diverse dualities in his address to perfection. “Today’s India is not only proud of its ancient glory but has hopes and dreams for the future. The New India personifies Virasat (heritage) coupled with Vikas (development),” he said.

For translating the ideas of PM Modi into actions, month-long celebrations have been planned in conjunction in Varanasi. All Mayors of major Indian cities will converge in Kashi for a conference on best practices in heritage rejuvenation from their cities. Noted scholars will also deliberate the illustrious history of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. A Good Governance Yatra will also be flagged off on the occasion of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday, to foster awareness among the people of accountability in government.

The world views us in the light we view ourselves. As the transformer of temples at home and abroad, PM Modi has admirably resuscitated our civilizational ethos and often linked these redevelopment projects to exercises in nation-building. Through reclaiming our spiritual ancestry and tradition, while leveraging the strong connection with the diaspora, India has found a renewed status on the global stage.

Coupled with the laying of the foundation stone at Ayodhya, and redevelopment at Somnath and Kedarnath among other transformative development projects, this unprecedented redemption of our glorious past will provide the much-needed impetus to spiritual and heritage tourism in the foreseeable future. It will further provide a fillip to the strengthening of our splendid cultural traditions. With this very sentiment, we must shape the narrative for the years to come. As we celebrate 75 years of Independence, now is the time to forge new paths and climb greater heights, looking ahead to India@2047, with faith in our capabilities.

The reverberating effects of the development at Kashi are sure to be felt throughout the larger state of Uttar Pradesh, the entire country, and eventually across borders. India’s ageless and indestructible ancient culture will continue to serve as an inspiration and give direction to the meandering future. With renewed fervor, pride in what we have, and continued belief in our self, this soft power is our greatest strength and unifier.

(Rohit Kumar Singh is an IAS officer posted as Special Secretary in the Government of India.  He is an alumnus of Harvard University and IIT BHU, Varanasi)

Image courtesy of (Photo: Times Now)

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