Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today, participated in Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Day) celebrations. The State-level celebrations are being held at Tarakeswar, Hooghly, a place of historic significance associated with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The theme for this year’s Paschimbanga Divas: “West Bengal: Heritage, Harmony and Development,” reflects the State’s cultural richness, social cohesion and developmental aspirations.
During the programme, Prime Minister launched, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects. Spanning the sectors of railways, agriculture, rural development, fisheries and animal husbandry, these initiatives will strengthen infrastructure, improve livelihoods, enhance farmer welfare and accelerate socio-economic development across the State.
Prime Minister also released the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). Under this instalment, more than ₹18,880 crore will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a large public gathering, marking his first visit to the state after the recent elections and swearing-in of the new government. Extending greetings to the people of West Bengal and the nation, Shri Modi described the occasion as a historic moment reflecting a renewed sense of optimism, confidence, and progress across the state. “West Bengal has embarked on a new journey of growth and nation-building. The visible enthusiasm among the people and the positive atmosphere across the state reflected growing confidence in a brighter future”, Shri Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister congratulated citizens for their participation in the “Swachhta se Swagat” initiative and emphasized that cleanliness should become an integral part of daily life and sustainable development. Highlighting the significance of West Bengal Day, Shri Modi said that the occasion serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve Bengal’s cultural identity, heritage, and place within India during the tumultuous period leading up to Independence and Partition. He paid tribute to the visionaries, social leaders, scholars, and public figures who worked to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the people of Bengal.
The Prime Minister recalled the contribution of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who played a pivotal role in ensuring that a part of Bengal remained within India during the Partition era. He also acknowledged the support extended by prominent intellectuals, scholars, social reformers, community leaders, and industrialists who participated in that historic movement. ”West Bengal’s rich legacy, shaped by great personalities such as Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, continues to inspire the nation. There is need to preserve and celebrate this heritage while creating new opportunities for future generations”, Shri Modi observed.
Shri Modi stated that the new government has begun addressing challenges that had accumulated over decades and is working at a rapid pace to accelerate development. He said that decisions are being taken swiftly and long-pending projects are being revived to unlock the state’s economic potential. “Development projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees related to railways, roads, agriculture, and fisheries were inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the event. These initiatives would strengthen rural infrastructure, improve connectivity, boost local economies, and create new opportunities for employment and growth”, Shri modi underscored.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the release of the 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN, directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than 9 crore farmers across the country. He extended his best wishes to all beneficiary farming families. Calling upon citizens to draw inspiration from the state’s history, the Prime Minister said that West Bengal possesses immense cultural, intellectual, and economic strength and can once again emerge as a leading contributor to India’s development journey. “West Bengal Day should serve not only as a remembrance of history but also as a renewed commitment to development, progress, and national unity. The people of the state would play a leading role in shaping a stronger and more prosperous India”, Shri Modi emphasized.
Prime Minister Modi stated that commitments made to the people of West Bengal during the elections are being fulfilled in a time-bound manner. He announced that every eligible poor family in the state will now benefit from the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. He also highlighted the rollout of the Annapurna Scheme, expanded access to clean drinking water through the Jal Jeevan Mission, relaxation in age limits for government jobs, and the implementation of free bus travel for women. “Welfare schemes that had remained stalled for years are now being delivered directly to beneficiaries through public outreach camps, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and the elimination of middlemen”, Shri Modi added.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Shri Modi noted that several long-pending projects are now moving forward at an accelerated pace. These include the completion of Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line work at Chingrighata Crossing, the foundation stone for a new divisional railway hospital in Howrah, road overbridges in Purba Medinipur, and the Sankrail–Santragachi rail link project. Focusing on farmers’ welfare, the Prime Minister welcomed the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in West Bengal, which will provide financial protection to farmers against crop losses. He also announced the state’s integration into the Digital Agriculture Mission, enabling farmer registries, digital land records, and improved delivery of agricultural services and benefits. “Under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, four districts of West Bengal—Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Jhargram—will receive focused support to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen storage infrastructure, and improve access to credit”, Shri Modi noted.
Recognizing the importance of fisheries to the state’s economy, Shri Modi highlighted the expansion of the Fraserganj Fishing Harbour in South 24 Parganas and the development of a modern fish market in Birbhum, which are expected to boost livelihoods and strengthen the fisheries sector. The Prime Minister also appealed to farmers across the country to participate in the Government’s “Khet Bachao Abhiyan”, which promotes soil health, reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers, and the adoption of natural farming practices.
Reiterating the Government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the development of Eastern India remains central to this mission under the Purvodaya Initiative, with West Bengal playing a critical role in driving regional and national growth. “Sustainable development must be accompanied by peace, social harmony, and cultural preservation, and to strengthen Bengal’s rich cultural heritage and social fabric while working together for collective progress”, stressed Shri Modi.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister invited people across the state to participate in International Day of Yoga celebrations and expressed confidence that the land of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo would once again inspire the world through the message of yoga, wellness, and human unity.
