JOIN USValmiki colony waits for Modi
A mix of anxiety and indifference seems to prevail at Valmiki Sadan colony which has a date with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
Modi has selected this Dalit colony to launch the Swachh Bharat campaign and the hectic activities of government agencies, including civic and security, has caught the attention of families here. A local temple’s priests, however, yearned for involvement for preparations for the big day.
“Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu spent more than one hour to check the preparations, but they did not speak to me,” said Sant Krishan Saha Vidyarthi, head priest of Valmiki Temple where Modi is likely to offer prayers.
The extra effort to spruce up the colony is also getting appreciated. “The cleanliness drive in Valmiki Sadan is going on since last week, we are happy to see our houses being whitewashed and parks decorated,” said Sanjay Malanda, secretary of the colony’s residents welfare association.
“We have heard that the PM will even sweep the road leading to Valmiki Sadan to give a symbolic message to the country,” said an excited resident, Rajkumar.
Some residents are however cold to the focus on the their colony, which earned fame after Mahatma Gandhi himself came here and spent some days in the early 1940s.
“In reality, it is difficult for us to pass through a security check every time when we go out or returning home,” said a resident.
Harish Chandra, another resident, said: “The area is witnessing a massive deployment of security forces.”
A few residents even saw political motives behind Modi’s visit. “I am happy that Modi is visiting our area but sadly our community is being used for political motives since Independence,” said Chandra.
“From Mahatma Gandhi to Arvind Kejriwal to Modi, all have come and gone but our fate has not seen any change,” said Ramesh Kumar Khiri, a retired civic official.
The Valmiki Temple seems to be the centre of preparations. It stands near the room where Mahatma Gandhi stayed before Independence.
The temple’s head priest claimed Modi is also scheduled to visit the same room.
Sant Krishan Saha Vidyarthi also opened the room for Deccan Herald to show pictures of Gandhi meeting Sir Richard Stafford Cripps.
He said: “Former prime ministers V P Singh, P V Narasimha Rao, and several other leaders including Sonia Gandhi, have also visited the room.”