कल से मैं यहीं, DLW के परिसर में ठहरा हूँ। चारों तरफ रेल्वे के माहौल ने मुझे मेरे बचपन से जोड़ दिया।

On his visit to Varanasi, Narendra Modi attended the commencement of expansion of Diesel Locomotive Works. The Prime Minister stayed at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), during his two-day visit to Varanasi. Staying at a Railways facility in Varanasi led to an interesting connect in Narendra Modi’s mind which took him back to childhood.

Writing candidly in the visitors` book as he concluded his visit, he remarked that the stay in DLW brought back memories of his childhood, when he had been closely associated with trains and railway stations. The Prime Minister described how he recalled the passengers and railway carriages, and how this was such an emotional experience for him. Looking ahead, Narendra Modi said that the memories of childhood would lead to new resolve and new possibilities.

“बचपन से ही मेरा नाता रेल्वे से रहा, रेल्वे स्टेशन से रहा, रेल के डिब्बे से रहा। कल से मैं यहीं DLW के परिसर में ठहरा हूँ। चारों तरफ रेल्वे के माहौल ने मुझे मेरे बचपन से जोड़ दिया। शायद पहली बार पूरा समय बचपन, वो रेल के डिब्बे, वो यात्री, सबकुछ मेरी आँखों के सामने ज़िंदा हो गया। वे यादें बहुत ही भावुक थी। यहां सबका अपनापन बहुत भाया। सभी कर्मयोगी भाइयों को धन्यवाद। अब तो मुझे बार बार यहां आना होगा। फिर बचपन की स्मृतियों के साथ नए संकल्प, संभावनाएं बनेंगी। माँ गंगा का प्यार और आशीर्वाद हमारे देश को निर्मल बनाये, हमारी सोच को निर्मल बनाये यही प्रार्थना।”

During his visit, the PM flagged off the new high horsepower diesel locomotive & described this as an example of India`s indigenous capabilities, and an illustration of his vision of Make in India. He recalled former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri`s slogan of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” and said the slogan had inspired farmers to make India self-reliant in food production. He expressed hope that “Make in India” would inspire us to become self reliant in all our needs.

He pledged to modernize Railways and make it service-oriented, so that it could become an engine of growth for the nation. Narendra Modi said 4 rail universities would be established to ensure proper and well-trained human resource for the Railways. He said the Railways should not be seen as just a means of transport, but should become the backbone of economic development. He exhorted Railway workers to ensure that the best service in India is provided by the Indian Railways.