From ‘Satyagraha to Swachhagraha’: PM Modi’s Big Bihar Outreach

PM Modi launched three rail projects, flagged off India’s first 12,000 HP Electric loco factory in Madhepura, Bihar.

PM Modi flag off a new bi-weekly train ‘Champaran Humsafar Express’ that would connect Katihar to New Delhi.

(Photo: PTI)

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

A hundred and one years after Mahatma Gandhi led the ‘Champaran Satyagraha’ against the British Raj in 1917, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for ‘Swachhagraha’ on the closing ceremony of Bihar government’s year long celebration, that was launched in 2017 to commemorate the Gandhi-led movement.

"I am proud of the fact that Bihar has shown its leadership abilities in this journey from Satyagraha to Swachhagraha," Modi said while addressing around 20,000 'Swachhagrahis' (volunteers of cleanliness movement) at the concluding ceremony of the Champaran Satyagraha centenary celebrations.

The development work undertaken in Bihar under Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi's leadership has boosted the morale of the people, the PM said.

I am proud of the fact that Bihar has shown its leadership abilities in this journey from Satyagraha to Swachhagraha. When the country was serving under British Raj, it was Bihar that turned Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ and ‘Bapu’. 

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

"I salute the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi present inside every individual. Those who say that history does not repeat itself, should come here and take a look at the mass movement," he added.

The prime minister laid the foundation stone of a project for doubling of Muzzafarpur-Sagauli (100.6 km) and Sagauli-Valmikinagar sections (109.7 km)

Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in February 2018, the two sections are being built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,401 crore and will cover districts of Muzaffarnagar, East Champaran and West Champaran.

PM Modi also flagged off the first run of the Champaran Humsafar Express between Katihar and Old Delhi. The Express will reportedly facilitate faster, safer and comfortable journey experience to common man of North Bihar. The train will run bi-weekly – Tuesdays and Fridays – covering a distance of 1,383 km, according to an official statement.

Not only did the PM launch three rail projects but also flagged off the country’s first 12,000 hp locomotive factory in Madhepura. The project is a joint venture between Indian Railways and French manufacturing firm Alstom.

The railways has set a target of manufacturing 800 locos (five assembled and 795 manufactured) over a period of 11 years. The prime minister also dedicated the first phase of the factory to the nation.

(With inputs from PTI)