Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 4-state visit on Saturday by taking a tour of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in the morning, following which, he is scheduled to travel to Arunachal, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh to unveil a series of projects.
“I would urge you all to visit Kaziranga National Park and experience the unparalleled beauty of its landscapes and the warmth of the people of Assam. It’s a place where every visit enriches the soul and connects you deeply with the heart of Assam,” the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X.
Following this, the Prime Minister also had a discussion with the forest guards of the park. “Interacted with Van Durga, the team of women forest guards who are at the forefront of conservation efforts, bravely protecting our forests and wildlife. Their dedication and courage in safeguarding our natural heritage is truly inspiring,” the PM said.
Feeding sugar cane to Lakhimai, Pradyumna and Phoolmai. Kaziranga is known for the rhinos but there are also large number of elephants there, along with several other species. pic.twitter.com/VgY9EWlbCE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024
Modi was also seen feeding sugarcane to the elephants of the park.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to unveil an 84-foot-tall statue of Lachit Borphukan, a general in the Ahom Kingdom, in another example of Modi and the BJP celebrating regional icons in recent years. The PM will also lay the foundation stones of several healthcare, housing, energy and road projects, with a total outlay of Rs 18,000 crore.
Modi’s Assam visit, however, comes amid reports that the Centre will notify the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed in Parliament in 2019, before the Lok Sabha polls are announced. Through Friday and Saturday, Opposition parties and student groups are intensifying their protests against the CAA, which is viewed in the state as diluting Assamese identity.
Interacted with Van Durga, the team of women forest guards who are at the forefront of conservation efforts, bravely protecting our forests and wildlife. Their dedication and courage in safeguarding our natural heritage is truly inspiring. pic.twitter.com/MUL19gK8aD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024
The CAA seeks to provide Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis entering India on or before December 31, 2014, from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after five years of residence here.
