Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Guruvayur Temple: Blesses a Newly Wedded Couple in the Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, started his day with a spiritual touch. He visited the famous Sreekrishna Temple in Guruvayur, Thrissur district, on January 17, 2024, and offered prayers. He also attended the wedding of BJP leader and actor Suresh Gopi’s daughter Bhagya, who tied the knot with Thiruvananthapuram-based businessman Shreyas.

The Prime Minister blessed the newly wedded couple and handed over garlands to them. He also visited the Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple in Thrissur district and paid his respects.

A Surprise Guest at the Wedding

The presence of PM Modi at the wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter was a surprise for many, as it was not part of his official schedule. The wedding ceremony took place at Sreekrishna College ground in Guruvayur, where hundreds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Several film stars, including Mammootty and Mohanlal, also attended the wedding along with their families.

The wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter also gained political significance, as the BJP leader is likely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Thrissur constituency. Thrissur is one of the seats where the BJP hopes to make a breakthrough in Kerala, a state where it has been struggling to gain a foothold. The Prime Minister’s visit to Guruvayur was seen as a boost for the BJP’s campaign in the state.

Prayed at the sacred Guruvayur Temple. The divine energy of this Temple is immense. I prayed that every Indian be happy and prosperous. pic.twitter.com/eFpxWaa9BL

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2024

A Series of Mega Projects in Kochi

After his spiritual sojourn in Guruvayur, PM Modi headed to Kochi, where he inaugurated three major projects worth more than Rs 4,000 crore. These projects are aimed at transforming India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sectors, and enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure.

The projects that PM Modi inaugurated are:

• The New Dry Dock (NDD) and the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), built at a cost of Rs 1,799 crore. The NDD is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region, with a length of 310 meters, a width of 75/60 meters, a depth of 13 meters, and a draught of up to 9.5 meters. It can handle strategic assets like future aircraft carriers up to 70,000T displacement, as well as large commercial vessels, jack-up rigs, LNG vessels, etc. The ISRF is a state-of-the-art facility that can repair up to 85 vessels per year, including large ships of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and other agencies.
• The LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, built at a cost of Rs 2,200 crore. The terminal has a capacity of 6 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum) and can store up to 80,000 MT of LPG. It will ensure a steady supply of LPG, benefiting millions of households and businesses in and around the region. The terminal is also connected to the Kochi-Salem LPG pipeline, which will further enhance the distribution network.
• The Cochin Port Trust – Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Pipeline, built at a cost of Rs 258 crore. The pipeline is 244 km long and can carry petroleum products from the IOCL’s Kochi refinery to its distribution points in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The pipeline will reduce the road and rail congestion, as well as the environmental impact of transporting petroleum products.

PM Modi said that these projects reflect India’s engineering prowess and project management capabilities, and will strengthen India’s position of eminence in the global maritime space. He also said that these projects will create employment opportunities, boost the local economy, and contribute to the nation’s growth.

A Message of Development and Unity

PM Modi’s visit to Kerala was not only about inaugurating projects, but also about reaching out to the people of the state, where the BJP faces a tough challenge from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). The Prime Minister addressed a public rally in Kochi, where he highlighted the achievements of his government and slammed the opposition parties for their alleged corruption, misgovernance, and appeasement politics.

PM Modi said that his government is working for the welfare of all sections of society, especially the poor, the farmers, the women, and the youth. He cited various schemes and initiatives launched by his government, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the Startup India, the Skill India, the Digital India, and the Make in India.

PM Modi also said that his government is committed to the development and preservation of Kerala’s rich culture and heritage. He said that his government has taken several steps to promote the tourism, art, literature, and spirituality of the state. He mentioned the projects undertaken by his government to improve the infrastructure and facilities of various temples, churches, and mosques in Kerala. He also praised the contributions of the Malayali diaspora to the nation and the world.

PM Modi appealed to the people of Kerala to support the BJP and its allies in the upcoming elections, and give them a chance to serve the state. He said that the BJP stands for development, democracy, and dignity, and will work for the progress and prosperity of Kerala.

PM Modi’s visit to Kerala was a mix of spirituality and politics, as he tried to strike a balance between showcasing his government’s achievements and wooing the voters of the state. The Prime Minister’s visit was also a sign of the BJP’s confidence and ambition in Kerala, where it hopes to make a dent in the bipolar political landscape. Whether PM Modi’s visit will translate into votes for the BJP remains to be seen, but it certainly added some spice to the election season in Kerala.