New Delhi: The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi visited the ongoing ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, Varanasi  yesterday (23 December 2016). The 8 days cultural extravaganza is being organised by the Ministry of Culture and was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Dr. Mahesh Sharma on 17 December 2016. While addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said, “Art and Culture have a paramount place in our society. In the absence of Culture, people will be no less than robots”. He also emphasized that technological advancements are keeping  the people away from the rich culture of India.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre to be built in Sunderbagia within the BHU premises and a Centenary Super Specialty Complex to be based on Public Private Partnership model in BHU.

1001st show of the famous Hindi Play ‘Chanakya’, directed by and also starring the renowned film and television actor, Mr Manoj Joshi was staged in the Swatantrata Auditorium of BHU Campus as a part of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav.

Other eminent guests were Minister of State(Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Mrs Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, UP Khadi and Village Industries Minister, Mrs Brahma Shanker Tripathi and Vice Chancellor of BHU Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi.

Thumri singer Girija Devi, veteran actor Manoj Joshi, classical vocalists Pandit Rajan-Sajan Mishra were part of the gathering. The Prime Minister met Girija Devi and the entire theatre-team of ‘Chanakya’.