PM Modi Receives Grand Welcome in Nagpur, Visits Key Landmarks
Nagpur, Sunday: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nagpur on Sunday morning and received a warm welcome at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Minister of State Adv Ashish Jaiswal greeted him. Senior officials from the armed forces, revenue, and police departments were also present.
After landing at around 8.30 am, the Prime Minister attended various events in the city. Around noon, he returned to the airport and took a helicopter to Solar Industries. Later, he flew to Chhattisgarh for his next visit. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decorated the city with banners, welcome arches, and hoardings featuring pictures of Modi. People gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
Modi Pays Tribute at Deekshabhoomi
PM Modi visited Deekshabhoomi, the site where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and his followers embraced Buddhism. He paid respects to Dr Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha. Bhante Surai Sasai, President of Deekshabhoomi Smarak Samiti, welcomed him, along with leaders like Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis.
In the visitor’s book, Modi wrote that visiting Deekshabhoomi was a special moment for him. He praised its role in promoting social harmony, equality, and justice. He expressed confidence that India would progress by following Ambedkar’s principles.
Visit to RSS Smruti Mandir
PM Modi also visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Smruti Mandir at Reshimbag. It was his first visit to the site as Prime Minister. He was accompanied by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, former leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi, CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
In the visitor’s diary, Modi wrote that Smruti Mandir honours RSS founders Dr Hedgewar and Golwalkar Guruji. He said their work inspires many people dedicated to serving the nation. His visit coincided with Gudhi Padwa, Dr Hedgewar’s birth anniversary, and the RSS centenary year. Modi became the second sitting Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters, after Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000.
PM Modi Inaugurates Defence Test Facility
PM Modi also inaugurated the Loitering Munition Test Range at Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) on Amravati Road, about 35 km from Nagpur. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Solar Industries Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal were present.
The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the 1.27 km runway, which will be used to test drones and loitering munitions. The facility includes a control centre, a testing area for weapons, and a training ground for UAV operations.
During the visit, Modi also saw various defence products, including the Pinaka rocket system, landmines, grenades, and advanced loitering munitions like Nagastra 1 and 2. He was shown new technologies such as Bhargavastra, a counter-drone missile system, and Bhaumastra, a mine detection tool.
Modi praised India’s growing expertise in drone and missile technology, saying it would help strengthen national security. Solar Industries Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal called it a proud moment for the company and its 10,000 employees.
PM Modi’s visit to Nagpur focused on defence development while also paying tribute to Dr Ambedkar and RSS leaders, highlighting his commitment to India’s progress and heritage.
