Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Varanasi rickshaw puller Mangal Kevat. (Photo Credit: ANI)
Varanasi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mangal Kevat, the rickshaw puller who had invited him to the wedding of his daughter on 12th February, during his visit to his parliamentary constituency on Sunday. The prime minister enquired about the health and well-being of Kevat and his family and also praised him for his contribution to the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan.
Kevat, who lives in Domri village that has been adopted by the Prime Minister, had personally handed over his daughter's wedding invitation in the PMO.
Taking cognizance of the matter, PM Modi had himself replied to Kevat. The prime minister sent a letter in which he congratulated them on the marriage of their daughter. In the letter, he sent his blessings and best wishes to the new bride and her family.
Mangal Kevat is a staunch devotee of Ganga River and spends a part of his earnings in offering prayers to the river. He is also is an active participant in the Swachh Bharat campaign. Kevat was enrolled as a party member during the BJP's membership campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek', a cultural arts and handicrafts exhibition, at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hastkala Sankul here.
He evinced keen interest in the products on display as he went around several stalls and personally interacted with buyers and artisans coming from different countries, including the US, England and Australia.
'Kashi Ek Roop Anek' showcased products from over 10,000 artisans from all over Uttar Pradesh.
Artistes and weavers at the two-day event will be imparted skills for improving the quality and branding of their wares suitable for the larger national and international markets.
There are 23 lakh artisans and weavers residing in Uttar Pradesh. Of these, about 35,800 artisans and 1.5 lakh weavers stay in Varanasi alone. The Uttar Pradesh government had launched the ambitious scheme 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) in which one craft per district was identified.
