Varanasi, also known as Kashi, holds immense historical and cultural significance in India. It is the spiritual heart of the country, a place where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern aspirations. The city's institutions play a pivotal role in promoting modern knowledge and scientific advancements, adding to its allure as a hub of intellectual and cultural exchange.

In the last 10 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as the Member of Parliament for Varanasi has been marked by a steadfast commitment to realize the immense potential of the city, particularly by empowering its youth and enhancing sports and education infrastructure.

Enhancing Access To Quality Education

PM Modi has made significant strides in transforming education in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency. Highlighting the essence of Varanasi as a hub of learning and the city's rich tradition of scholars and seekers of knowledge, PM Modi inaugurated 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas. These Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas, inaugurated at a cost of Rs. 1100 crores, are dedicated to providing top-notch education to the children of laborers and the most vulnerable segments of society, including those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya, sprawling across 10-15 acres, boasts state-of-the-art facilities including spacious classrooms, expansive sports grounds, recreational areas, a mini auditorium, hostel complexes, mess facilities, and residential flats for the dedicated staff. With an ultimate capacity of accommodating 1,000 students in each school, these institutions are designed to nurture talent and potential to the fullest.

At the core of these initiatives lies the vision of holistic development, where education goes beyond textbooks. These schools will not only impart academic knowledge but also provide facilities for music, arts, crafts, technology, and sports. Moreover, in a compassionate gesture towards families affected by the pandemic, children who lost their parents to COVID-19 will be granted admission to these schools with zero fees.

In addition to the Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas, the foundation stone for the Center of Excellence on Machine Tools Design at BHU was also laid by PM Modi. This further underscore the commitment to nurturing global standards of education and skill development within the city.

Through these investments in education infrastructure, the city is poised to become a beacon of learning, innovation, and progress in the years to come.

Empowering Youth Through Sports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also set in motion a monumental transformation in the sports infrastructure of Varanasi, paving the way for a new era of athletic excellence and cultural vibrancy in the ancient city.

He laid the foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi, heralding a new chapter in the city's sporting legacy. This state-of-the-art stadium, set to be developed in Ganjari, Rajatalab, Varanasi, boasts a staggering budget of approximately Rs 450 crores and spans across a sprawling area of more than 30 acres.

The thematic architecture of the stadium pays homage to the city's revered deity, Lord Shiva. Drawing inspiration from Shiva's iconic symbols, the stadium will feature crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped lights, ghat steps-based seating arrangements, and Bilvipatra-shaped metallic sheets adorning its facade. The stadium will accommodate a grand audience of 30,000 spectators, providing an electrifying atmosphere for sporting events. Upon completion, the stadium will not only be a blessing for the city but also for the entire Purvanchal region.

Alongside the International Cricket Stadium, an investment of Rs 400 crores is dedicated to the development of the Sigra Stadium. This groundbreaking initiative aims to create a multifaceted sports complex, catering to over 50 different sports disciplines. Notably, this complex is designed to be inclusive, offering accessibility features for the differently-abled individuals. Khelo Banaras competition has been also launched, in which over one lakh youth participated across various sports disciplines, exemplifying the growing interest and talent in sports among the city's youth.

PM Modi envisions a future where Varanasi stands as a beacon of education and sporting excellence, drawing students and athletes from far and wide. Through these monumental endeavours, PM Modi aims to unleash the full potential of Varanasi's youth and nurture a generation of champions. As the city continues to evolve, its youth stands at the forefront of this transformation where talent is nurtured, dreams are realized and the spirit of Yuva Shakti flourishes.