PM SHARES GLIMPSES OF HOOGHLY BOAT RIDE, PAYS TRIBUTE TO GANGA

New Delhi, Apr 24, 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared glimpses of a boat ride on the Hooghly River in Kolkata, expressing gratitude to the Ganga and highlighting its deep cultural and spiritual significance for the people of Bengal.

In a series of posts on X, PM Modi described the experience as “a very special morning,” noting that the river reflects the timeless spirit of Indian civilisation. “”For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation,” he said.

The Prime Minister also shared photographs from the riverbanks, including views of the iconic Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu, and said he even tried his hand at photography during the visit. Recalling his roadshow across Howrah Bridge on Thursday, he remarked on the contrast of seeing it again from the waters of the Hooghly.

During his visit, PM Modi interacted with local boatmen and morning walkers, praising their hard work and dedication. He said the moment also served as an opportunity to reaffirm his government’s commitment to the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of its people.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister also visited the Belur Math, where he paid tribute to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. He described the site as a symbol of service, harmony, and compassion, and met Swami Gautamananda during the visit.

The visit comes amid the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, where the first phase of polling recorded a voter turnout of 91.78 per cent. The second phase is scheduled for April 29, with counting of votes set for May 4.