How is my Kashi, PM Modi asks Hockey Olympian Lalit

Meerut/Varanasi, Jan 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while interacting with Olympic players in Meerut on Sunday, asked hockey Olympian Lalit Upadhyay, “How is my Kashi doing?,” with regards to his Parliamentary Constituency and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

PM Modi was in Meerut to address a rally. After laying the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University, he met Olympic and Para Olympic players from this city and adjoining areas. Hockey Olympian Lalit Upadhyay from Varanasi was also part of the contingent that met the Prime Minister.
Modi asked the Hockey Olympian, what did he do once he returned from Tokyo?
Lalit replied that on his return, he received a lot of love and respect in Banaras. Hockey has progressed so much in the last few years, he said.
On this, Modi asked him, “How is my Kashi?”
Lalit said, “With the grace of Lord Mahadev, the city is doing pretty well. You have enhanced the beauty of the place (referring to the development of Kashi Vishwanath Dham).”
After this, the Prime Minister asked, “Did you visit the Kashi Vishwanath Dham?” Lalit replied that he had gone there yesterday itself. On this, PM Modi said that there must have been a huge crowd there on New Year.
Lalit said after the Olympics, people have started recognising him and therefore, he did not face any kind of problem during the darshan.
Modi asked him, what kind of suggestions were given to them during the Olympics, to which Lalit replied, “You had asked us to visit schools and encourage children to participate in sports”.
PM Modi once again reiterated his suggestion to the players that they should visit at least 75 schools before going for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
He said 2021 being the Amrit Mahotsav (75th year) of India’s independence, the Sportspersons should go to schools and share information about nutrition and fitness with the children and encourage them to participate in sports.
Today, children idolise sportspersons and consider them as bigger role models than film personalities, he added.