"Mathura and Braj will not be left behind in the race for development": PM Modi

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that the Mathura and Braj region played a crucial role in sustaining the nation during challenging periods adding that the sacred pilgrimage site did not receive the attention it deserved.
PM Modi said that Mathura and Braj will not be left behind in the race for development.
"Those who wanted to disconnect India from its past, those who were alienated from India's culture and its spiritual identity, and those who could not give up their servile mentality even after independence, also deprived Braj land of development. But now the Ram Mandir is nearing completion. The day is not far when Lord Krishna will be seen here in an even more divine form," PM Modi said while attending Brajraj Utsav-2023, organized on the occasion of the 525th birth anniversary of Krishna devotee and poetess Mirabai in Mathura.
PM Modi further said that India has always been a country that worships 'Nari Shakti' (women power).
"Krishna's name becomes complete only when prefixed with Radha", PM Modi underlined. He credited these ideals to the contributions made by women towards nation-building and paving the way forward for society. Mirabai ji has also been a shining example of this," the PM said.
Highlighting the connections of Lord Krishna and Mirabai with Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that it makes his visit to Mathura even more special.
"Kanhiya of Mathura transformed to Dwarkadhish after visiting Gujarat," PM Modi emphasized, adding that Saint Mirabai, who hailed from Rajasthan and filled the corridors of Mathura with love and affection, spent her final days in Dwarka, Gujarat.
PM Modi expressed joy at experiencing the divine aura of Braj and its people, emphasizing that only those called by Lord Krishna find their way here.
"This is no ordinary earth. Braj is the true embodiment of the love of Lalji and Ladliji," he praised the establishment of Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, foreseeing that Mathura and Braj would now surge ahead on the path of development.
He said that the saints have said that there is no forest like Vrindavan, no village like Nandgaon, and no banyan tree like Banshi Vat.
He underlined that the people from Gujarat consider it the blessing of Dwarkadhish when they get the opportunity to visit Braj spread across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The PM also added that he has now been a part of Uttar Pradesh since 2014 when he became the MP from Varanasi.
"In this Mahotsav, we have the honour of releasing coins and stamps bearing Saint Mirabai's name. This 84 'Kos' Braj Mandal is formed by connecting UP and Rajasthan," he said. (ANI)