Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an extensive interaction with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers of the state government in Lucknow yesterday evening. During his meeting with UP ministers, the PM said that only good governance opens the way to power. With this, he asked all the ministers of the state to further dedicate themselves to the service of the public. The Prime Minister also told the UP cabinet that there was no time left for any rest and that everyone should start preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In a tweet, Mr Modi said he discussed a wide range of subjects related to furthering Good Governance and Ease of Living for the citizens.
Before coming to Lucknow, Mr Modi offered prayers at Mahanirvana Stupa in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The temple, housing the reclining Lord Buddha idol, is said to be the place where Lord Buddha attained nirvana.
Prime minister reached the temple after returning from his day-long visit to Lumbini in Nepal. In Lumbini, Mr offered a ‘chivar’ (robe) at the idol in the presence of priests, who presented him with an idol of Lord Buddha.
Addressing a gathering in Lumbini, Mr Modi said, “Buddha is the embodiment of the collective understanding of humanity. Buddha is enlightenment, as well as research. Buddha is thoughts, and sacraments too, he said.
During his Nepal visit, PM Modi along with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba laid the foundation stone of a technologically-advanced India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Lord Buddha’s birthplace.
Mr Modi also offered prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple in Lumbini.