One hour ago
Vigorous preparations were going on for Shivratri at Assi Ghat in Banaras. A grand Ganga Aarti was about to be organized. The whole of Banaras was resonant with the bells of temples built on the banks of the ghat and the song “Bam-bum bol raha hai Kashi” playing on the speakers. The crowd of people on the ghat was increasing continuously. The boatmen were standing ready by putting boats on the banks of the river.
We also boarded the boat and reached the ghat via the Ganges. Tried to know the election situation from the people present there. What came up? Let us tell you everything…but before that give your opinion by participating in the survey given below…
Panda is very angry with the government as all donations go to NGOs
People moving towards Assi Ghat for Ganga Aarti via Janki Ghat in Varanasi.
Ashutosh Chaturvedi, a member of Ganga Seva Samiti, conducts Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat for the last four years. He appreciated the ongoing cleanliness drive in Vishwanath Corridor and Namami Gange at Ghat. Along with this, while expressing his pain, he said, “We are angry with the Yogi government, because Brahmins have not got anything. This is the area of our people. We do work related to religion and this is how our livelihood goes, But now all the donations here are taken by NGOs. Panda Samaj gets nothing.”
Panda Ashutosh Chaturvedi narrating his pain at the ghat.
We asked Ashutosh if you are angry with the government, then who has won? “We are definitely angry, but in the name of Hindutva, we will vote for the BJP,” he said.
Kicked the stomach of the poor by driving a big ship in the Ganges
Shashikant Sahni is a Manjhi and has been taking people on the Ganges tour on his handboat in Banaras for the last 12 years. Shashikant told us, “Modi has done a good job, but these Alaknanda cruises and big ships are being run, by this we sailors are being kicked in the stomach. Our livelihood is being snatched away. Now no one is on our boat. Sits.”
We talked to him on board Shashikant’s boat.
Shashikant charges Rs 250 for a half hour walk in his boat. “The fare is Rs 700 less than the fare for Alaknanda cruise, but people still ride in his boat,” he said.
Once again lotus will feed in Banaras
We reached Dashashwamedh Ghat at 7 pm during Ganga Aarti. As a grand ceremony of Ganga Aarti was going on, many of the Banaras in the crowd of thousands of devotees said, “The lotus will bloom once again in UP.”
View of Dashashwamedh Ghat during Ganga Aarti.
Entire Kashi is Modimay, no one took Yogi’s name
Even after the Ganga Aarti was over, we tried to know the election condition from the people. Anoop Kawaria, a disciple of Shambhu Panchadash Naam Akhara Math, said, “A lot of work has been done in Kashi under the leadership of Modi ji. We also do political discussions with many people. People believe that Modi will take Varanasi further. Complete Kashi It’s Modimay.” During this time we talked to many other people. No one took the name of Yogi.
This story is done by Harshit Sharma. Harshit is interning with Dainik Bhaskar.