VARANASI, Feb. 23 -- Observing that new Kashi has emerged as an inspiration for the new India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the progress of the city, which is his parliamentary constituency, in the last 10 years.

"With the blessings of Mahadev, vikas ka damroo (the drum of development) has been resonating in Kashi for the last 10 years," he said. He was addressing a gathering at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where he participated in the prize distribution ceremony of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at Swatantra Sabhagar on the second day of his two-day visit to Varanasi.

"Kashi is the capital of all knowledge, today that power and form of Kashi are emerging again. This is a matter of pride for the whole of India. We all ar...