Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the revamped ‘Kartavya Path’ at the India Gate in New Delhi and asks citizens to visit the landmark place. How has the revamped Central Vista become the symbol of development in New India?
Our Bureau
New Delhi
As a part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Kartavya Path’ at India Gate on Thursday. Before the inauguration, Modi interacted with the workers who were involved in the redevelopment project and told them that he will invite all of them who worked on the Central Vista redevelopment project for the January 26 Republic Day parade. He also witnessed an exhibition on revamped Central Vista Avenue.
Modi also unveiled a grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate. The jet-black granite statue, with a height of 28 feet will be placed under the Canopy near India Gate. According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the move symbolizes a shift from the erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to the ‘Kartavya Path’ being an example of public ownership and empowerment. “These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second Panch Pran for New India in Amrit Kaal: remove any trace of the colonial mindset,” said a PMO statement.
Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure. The PMO said that it lacked basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, street furniture and adequate parking space. Further, there was inadequate signage, poor maintenance of water features and haphazard parking.
Inaugurating the ‘Kartavya Path’, Modi on Thursday said a new era has begun in the form of Kartavya Path that will consign the symbol of colonialism ‘Kingsway’ to history. “A new era has begun in the form of Kartavya Path. Symbol of colonialism ‘Kingsway’ will be history and has been erased forever. I congratulate all the people of the country as we come out from another symbol of colonialism,” he said.
He said in the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, the country has got new inspiration and new energy. “Today we are filling the picture of tomorrow, leaving behind the past, adding new colors to the picture of tomorrow. Today this new aura is visible everywhere, it is the aura of confidence of New India,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Rajpath was also a symbol of slavery and its structure was also a symbol of slavery. “Today its architecture has also changed and its spirit has also changed,” PM stated.
Modi said a huge statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has also been installed near India Gate. At the time of slavery, he said there was a statue of the representative of the British Raj. He said, “Kartavya Path is not just a road of bricks and stones. It is a living example of India’s democratic past and all-time ideals. When the people of the country come here, the statue of Netaji, the National War Memorial, all these will give them such a great inspiration, they will inculcate their sense of duty.”
“Today the country has also established the life of a modern, strong India by installing the statue of Netaji at the same place,” he said.
Prime Minister said the country has changed hundreds of laws that have been going on since the British era. The time and date of the Indian budget, which was following the time of the British Parliament for so many decades, has also been changed. Through the National Education Policy, he said now the youth of the country are being liberated from the compulsion of foreign language.
At the inauguration, the Prime Minister expressed special gratitude toward the workers and the labourers not just for the physical contribution to the redevelopment of Kartavya Path but also for the height of their labor which is a living and breathing example of Kartavya toward the nation.
Talking about his meeting with the workers, PM Modi praised the dream of the nation’s glory that they carry in their hearts. The workers of Central Vista redevelopment project and their families will be Prime Minister’s special guests on the next Republic Day Parade. He expressed happiness that today there is a tradition of respect for Shram (labor) and Shramjeevi (workers) in the country. “With sensitivity in policies, there is sensitivity in decisions and ‘Shramev Jayate’ is becoming a mantra for the nation,” he said.
He recalled instances of interactions with workers in Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Vikrant, and Prayagraj Kumbh. Workers working on the new Parliament Building will get a place of honor in one of the galleries, he informed.
The Prime Minister said that India of today is working on cultural infrastructure along with physical, digital, and transport infrastructure. For Social infrastructure, he gave examples of new AIIMS and medical colleges, IITs, water connections, and Amrit Sarovars.
He said rural roads and the record number of modern expressways, railways and metro networks, and new airports are expanding transport infrastructure in an unprecedented manner. Optical fiber to panchayats and records of digital payments have made India’s digital infrastructure a topic of global appreciation.
Also, Modi on Thursday called upon the citizens to visit the revamped Kartavya Path at the India Gate in the national capital, stating that the “India of the future” can be seen in its development.
The Prime Minister also urged the people to capture pictures and selfies along with their families on Kartavya Path and share them on social media. “I appeal to every citizen of the country, I invite all of you, come and see this newly constructed Kartavya Path. In its development, you will see the India of the future. The energy here will give you a new vision for our vast nation, a new belief,” Modi said.
He expressed his belief that the inspiration of the Kartavya Path will create a flow of duty in the country. “I know this entire area is the heartbeat of the people of Delhi, and a large number of people come with their families to spend time in the evening. The planning, designing and lighting of the Kartavya Path has also been done keeping this in mind. I believe that this inspiration of Kartavya Path will create a flow of duty in the country and this flow will take us to the fulfilment of the resolve of a new and developed India,” Modi said.
No doubt, a new phase has begun in the history – and future – of India.
