Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi navigated the Hooghly River by boat Friday morning, describing the waterway's "divine waters" as the repository for the enduring spirit of an entire civilisation.
During the excursion, Modi reaffirmed his administration's dedication to the industrial and social advancement of West Bengal and the sustained well-being of the "great Bengali people."
The prime minister shared several images from his journey on social media, featuring himself aboard a traditional wooden vessel equipped with a camera. The iconic silhouettes of the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu provided the backdrop for the photographs.
"Tried my hand at photographing this great river. Also caught a close glimpse of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge," the prime minister stated on X.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
Modi emphasised the profound cultural connection between the region and the river, a major distributary of the Ganges. He noted that for every resident of the state, the river holds a sacred significance.
"One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation," Modi wrote. "This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly river, an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga."
The prime minister noted that the morning trip also allowed him to interact with local "morning walkers" and "boatmen, whose hardworking nature is admirable."
Political Context
According to state BJP officials, Modi stayed overnight at Lok Bhavan following a large-scale roadshow that moved from Howrah to Kolkata on Thursday evening. He travelled directly to Princep Ghat early Friday to commence the river tour.
"Yesterday evening, during the long roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata, I was on Howrah Bridge. And this morning, I saw this bridge from the Hooghly River!" he remarked.
The visit comes amid an intense campaign period for the West Bengal assembly elections. While the initial phase of polling concluded Thursday, the prime minister remains active on the campaign trail ahead of the second phase scheduled for April 29. Final election results are expected to be announced on May 4.
"On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people," Modi concluded.
With inputs from PTI