Only a 'few families' in India got development after Independence: PM Modi

Stating that India was leaving behind a history of unequal development and moving into an era of development for all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that post-independence, development was restricted to only a few 'selected' families in Delhi, due to 'narrow thinking'.

Prime Minister Modi was speaking after virtually inaugurating the new Circuit House in Somnath, Gujarat via video conferencing. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, state ministers, MPs, Temple Trust members were among those present on the occasion.

"It is our own government that built Babasaheb Memorial in Delhi, the APJ Abdul Kalam memorial in Rameshwaram. Similarly, the places associated with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Shyamji Krishna Varma have been given due stature. Adivasi museums are also being built across the country to bring forth the glorious history of our tribal society", the Prime Minister said, as quoted by IANS.

The PM lauded the Stature of Unity which attracted 74 lakh tourists since it was opened, as he said symbols of India's identity would attract tourists and take both country reputation and tourism to new heights. This extended to suggestions for the tourist sector including promoting cleanliness, facilities, time, and thinking.

The Prime Minister mentioned that in the last seven years, the country has worked relentlessly to realise the potential of tourism.

"Today, the development of tourist centres is not just a part of the government schemes, but a campaign of public participation. The country's heritage sites and development of our cultural heritage are great examples of this," he said. He listed measures like 15 theme based tourist circuits in the Ramayana Circuit, where places related to Ram can be visited and a special train has been started.

Modi, who is also the chairman of the Shree Somanth Temple Trust, lauded developments made to the temple and pilgrimage in recent times. Listing the facilities at Somnath Temple, Modi said that a pilgrim plaza and a complex proposal for Somnath Temple is in its final stages while similar facilities are being proposed for the Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha district too.

Special train services would also be started from Delhi to Kashi on Saturday, the PM revealed.

The new circuit house at Somnath has 48 rooms, built over 15,000 square meters and can host many pilgrims coming to visit the shrine which would take pressure off the temple trust which usually had to host pilgrims that couldn't find accomodation in the one guest house available to them, the PM said.