PM Modi takes dip at Kumbh; washes sanitation workers' feet
What's the story
After launching the Rs. 75,000cr PM-KISAN scheme in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi, on Sunday afternoon, headed to Prayagraj and took a holy dip in the river Ganges and offered his prayers at the Sangam during the ongoing Kumbh Mela He also paid his respects to sanitation workers, and in a symbolic gesture, washed their feet. Here are the details.
Details
PM Modi also performed an aarti at Triveni Ghat
PM Modi wore a robe as he stepped into the water of the river Ganges at a specially demarcated area. He then changed into a saffron kurta as he offered his prayer at the Sangam - the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati - and performed an aarti at the Triveni Ghat.
Quote
Never seen a cleaner Ganga: PM Modi
"I've never seen a more cleaner Ganga previously and it has only been possible because of the Namami Gange project," PM Modi said at the Kumbh Mela.
Awards
He also attended an award ceremony for sanitation workers
Subsequently, PM Modi attended the "Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar" award ceremony, wherein he acknowledged the efforts of sanitation workers, who have worked to keep the Kumbh Mela clean. However, the ceremony took an unexpected turn after PM Modi, in front of TV cameras, proceeded to wash and wipe clean the feet of five of the awardees.
Twitter Post
WATCH: PM Modi washes sanitation workers' feet
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi washes feet of sanitation workers in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/otTUJpqynU
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 24, 2019
Other details
Other politicians, too, have visited the Kumbh Mela
PM Modi isn't the first politician to visit the Kumbh Mela this year. Earlier, on February 14, BJP chief Amit Shah had also visited Prayagraj, taken a holy dip, and offered his prayers at the Sangam. The Kumbh Mela has also been attended by others like Smriti Irani, Yogi Adityanath, and Akhilesh Yadav. The Mela will come to an end on March 4.