A grand welcome was given to both Prime Minister when they touched down
at the Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport at around 4:30 PM. They were
received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister AkhileshYadav.
Memorable moments of the day as the visit turn
out to be grand affair.
Special gift to Varanasi
Japan Prime Minister announced that a Convention Centre will be built in
Varanasi with Japanese assistance. This will surely enhance cultural-spiritual
bonding of two nations.
Welcome Musical & Cultural at Babatpur Airpot
Sound of music at Assi Ghat
Shehnai maestro of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Pandit Mahendra Prasana
played 'Japanese Welcome song' at Assi Ghat to welcome Abe and Modi. He also
played 'Vandematram' song to celebrate the honor of nation and remind that
Varanasi listed in Creative Cities Network as 'City of Music' by UNESCO.
Banners,
Welcome Hoardings everywhere!
All the major crossings have been cleaned and decked up to welcome Modi and Abe. One just cannot miss the 'Welcome boards', made up of flowers, installed in most localities where the two dignitaries are likely to visit. The hoardings also carry welcome messages.
Locals have also decorated their house and shops with Modi and Abe's
posters and flags of both countries.
The 'key' to Varanasi
As per the traditional customs, whenever a foreign chief visits
the temple city with the country's PM, mayor gives him the key to enter the
city and while returning the country's representative returns the key. The
tradition is being followed for Modi, Abe visit too by Varanasi Mayor Ram Gopal
Mohle.
Maha Ganga
Aarti at decked-up Dashaswamedh Ghat
With heightened security arrangements, historical Dashaswamedh
Ghat has turned into fortress. For the special Ganga Aarti organized for Modi
and Abe, nine priests instead of five performed it while 18 young women in
tradition attire assisted them. Beauty of Ghat is truly awesome.
Memorable Moment, as both the Prime Minister enjoyed the
spirituality & cultural divinity of the city & received blessings from
Maa Ganga. Both the Prime Minister also performed Maa Ganga Aarti.
Nearly 7,000 security personnel were pressed into service
for the high-profile visit lasting about four hours. Security at the
normally crowded Ghat has been taken over
by the Army and the Navy while scuba divers of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed around the make-shift stage which has been erected with the help of pontoons on the river bed.
by the Army and the Navy while scuba divers of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed around the make-shift stage which has been erected with the help of pontoons on the river bed.
Personnel of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) have
been camping in the city since Tuesday. They are being assisted by the National
Security Guard, Anti-Terrorist Squad, Central Para Military Forces and the
state police.
Overall, the visit made people of Varanasi happy & generated hope for a Kyoto like
Kashi.
