Prime Minister Narendra Modi was facilitated by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders as he arrived to address a public meeting in Rameswaram city of Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, after inaugurating India's vertical sea lift bridge, New Pambam Bridge.
He made a strong pitch for Tamil and asserted that all efforts are on to take the language across the world and asked the Tamil Nadu government to impart medical education in Tamil medium to benefit the poor.
In his address after laying foundation stone and dedicating to the nation projects cumulatively worth over ₹8,300 crore, Modi, on the occasion of Ram Navami said Lord Ram's good governance is the foundation for nation building.
Inaugurating the new Pamban bridge here, he said it was the country's first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Modi said efforts were on to take Tamil language, heritage to all corners of the world.
Without naming anyone, Modi said he gets letters from leaders of Tamil Nadu and "they do not sign in Tamil.
"At least put your signature in Tamil." Further, he batted for teaching medicine in Tamil medium in the state so that students from poor families are benefitted. The PM, referring to beneficiaries from the state in respect of several initiatives said despite increased allocation to Tamil Nadu, some "cry" over funds.
Moreover, PM Modi was given a painting by Union Minister and BJP leader L Murugan.
The Prime Minister also dedicated the Pamban Bridge and multiple national highway projects to the nation and also laid the foundation stone of other road infrastructure projects.
Also read: India’s first vertical lift sea bridge opens in Tamil Nadu
PM Modi mentioned how the new Pamban bridge is connecting "thousands of year old" Rameswaram city to a modern architectural marvel.
"A town that is thousands of years old is being connected by the 21st century engineering wonder. I thank our engineers and workers for their hard work. This bridge is India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Big ships will be able to sail under it. Trains will also be able to travel faster on it. I just flagged off a new train service and a ship a short while ago," PM Modi said.
"The new train service will improve the connectivity from Rameswaram to Chennai, and other parts of the country, this will benefit both trade and tourism in Tamil nadu. New jobs and opportunities will also be created for the youth.
Meanwhile, while highlighting the 'Surya Tilak' in Ayodhya, PM Modi added, "Today is the holy festival of Ram Navami; just a short while ago, in the grand Ram Temple of Ayodhya, the rays of the sun performed a magnificent tilak on Ram Lalla."
The life of Lord Ram and the inspiration of good governance derived from his reign form a significant foundation for nation-building," the PM added.
Earlier, PM Modi also offered prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in the State. Clad in the traditional 'veshti' (dhoti), shirt and 'angavastram' (worn around the neck), the PM visited the holy shrine on Sunday for the second time in a little over a year.
He flagged off the first train traversing the New Pamban Bridge, India's first vertical sea lift bridge.
The 2.07-kilometre-long New Pamban Bridge, spanning the Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu, stands as a testament to India's engineering prowess and visionary infrastructure development.
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