Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday began his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Kerala. After landing in Tiruchirappalli, he also attended the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University. According to an official statement, the Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate and dedicate several developmental projects in Lakshadweep and Kerala as well.
Addressing the convocation ceremony of state-run Bharathidasan University here, the Prime Minister quoted the 'Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom' Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, and said it meant creating a brave new world which is also the university's motto. He said the Indian youth were already creating such a world.
"The Indian scientists are on the world map through missions like Chandrayaan and 'our innovators took the number of patents from around 4,000 in 2014 to almost 50,000 now. India's 'humanity scholars are showcasing the Indian story to the world like never before. Also, the nation's musicians and artists were continuously bringing international awards for the country," he added.
On Tuesday (January 1), PM Modi also inaugurated the recently constructed terminal building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the two-level international terminal is designed to accommodate over 44 lakh passengers annually, catering to approximately 3,500 passengers during peak hours.
PM hails vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu
He also launched infrastructure and educational projects worth Rs 20,140 crore in the state. Addressing a gathering after the inauguration, PM Modi lauded the vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu. "India is proud of the vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu... I had many Tamil friends and I got to learn a lot about Tamil culture from them. Wherever I go in the world I cannot stop myself from talking about Tamil Nadu...The sacred Sengol was installed in the new Parliament building, an attempt to draw inspiration from the model of good governance that the Tamil heritage has given to the country..." he said.
"Today India is among the top five economies. Today India has emerged as a new hope in the world. Big investors are investing in the country and the people of Tamil Nadu and the country are getting benefits from it. Tamil Nadu is becoming the big brand ambassador of Make in India," the PM added.
About Tiruchirappalli International Airport
- Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the second largest airport in terms of international passenger traffic after Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
- The new terminal building contains 60 check-in counters, 5 Baggage Carousels,60 Arrival Immigration Counters, and 44 departure emigration counters.
- The design of the new terminal building has been inspired by the cultural vibrancy of Tiruchirappalli.
- It would also depict art forms from Kolam art to colours of Srirangam Temple and other theme artworks depicting the connection of India to the rest of the world through its dynamic external facade and splendid interiors.
PM Modi's schedule in Tamil Nadu
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi said that these projects will benefit several people in the region. He also took to X to mention about his various programmes scheduled in the southern part of the country. "Over the next two days, I will be attending various programmes in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Kerala. The programmes will begin from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, where I will address the Convocation Ceremony of the Bharathidasan University. The new terminal building of the airport will also be inaugurated. At the same time, other development works will also be launched. These works will benefit several people," he posted.
PM Modi also said that he looks forward to being among the people of Lakshadweep. "Development works worth Rs 1150 crore would either be inaugurated or their foundation stones would be laid. These works include projects relating to better internet connectivity, ensuring clean drinking water supply, solar energy, healthcare and more," he wrote on X.
Development projects to be inaugurated in Lakshadweep:
- Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI - SOFC) project.
- This will lead to an increase in internet speed of more than 100 times (from 1.7 Gbps to 200 Gbps)
- Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable for the first time since independence
- Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat. It will produce 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water every day.
- Solar power plant at Kavaratti, which is the first-ever battery-backed solar power project of Lakshadweep. It will help to reduce dependency on Diesel based Power Generation plant
- A new administrative block and 80-men en barrack in India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) Complex at Kavaratti.
(With inputs from ANI)
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