Modi in Varanasi on Good Governance Day

All MPs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which Modi had steered to a comprehensive victory in the general elections earlier this year, have been asked to be in their respective Parliamentary constituencies for 'Sushasan Diwas' and the Prime Minister through his own visit has sought to lead by example.

"Development & good governance are the only ways ahead. Together, let us make a positive impact in people's lives & create a developed India," the PM tweeted ahead of his visit. The Prime Minister's aircraft landed at the Babatpur airport on the outskirts of the city at around noon where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and state minister Ahmed Hasan, according to airport director S K Malik.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, MoS for Culture Mahesh Sharma and state BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai have been camping in the city since last night.

During his day-long tour, his second to Varanasi after becoming the Prime Minister, Modi is scheduled to inspect cleanliness drive as part of 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' at the Assi Ghat along the river Ganga and in some lanes in nearby residential localities. The PM will also inaugurate an Inter-University Centre for Teachers’ Education inside the BHU premises. The Prime Minister will also visit the Diesel Locomotive Works on the outskirts of the city where he will dedicate to the nation a modern, air-conditioned passenger train engine and inaugurate a project for expansion of the DLW.

The Prime Minister is likely to return this evening.

Modi's government is observing December 25 as 'Good Governance Day' to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose name was yesterday announced, along with that of Malaviya, for the 'Bharat Ratna'.

"There is no bigger tribute to Atalji than celebrating his birthday as 'Good Governance Day' & pledging to devote ourselves to this cause," the PM tweeted.