Ahead of polls, PM Modi sends 100 pairs of jute footwear for workers at Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Most of them perform their duties barefoot as it is prohibited to wear leather or rubber footwear in temple premises

For scores of security personnel, sanitation workers, priests and others, who performed different works at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi barefoot it was a surprise but pleasant gift, especially at a time when the city was experiencing chilly weather conditions.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, had 100 pairs of footwear made of jute sent to them so that they did not have to work barefoot in this weather.

According to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Project officials, the footwear were distributed among the workers, including priests and others, on Monday. "More pairs of jute footwear are expected in the next few days," said an official in Varanasi.

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The officials said that the priests, security personnel and other workers had to work barefoot inside the Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex as wearing of leather footwear was prohibited there. "They found it difficult to discharge their duties barefoot especially in these chilly conditions....jute footwear will give them a lot of respite," the official added.

The official said that these shoes would come handy for them even during the summer season. "In summers also the floors become very hot making it difficult to walk on them barefoot," he added.

A local BJP leader said that the prime minister, upon coming to know about the problems being faced by the workers and priests, immediately gifted them 100 pairs of jute footwear.

Modi had a few days back inaugurated the first phase of the Project in his Lok Sabha constituency.

Usually, those who perform different functions inside a temple complex, are either barefoot or wear 'khadaun' (thick wooden shoes). "Not everyone can work with khadaun on his feet...it requires a lot of practice....even then it makes one's movement slow and care has to be taken while working with khadaun," said a priest at a temple in the state capital.

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