VARANASI: Expressing gratitude to the people of Varanasi for their love and support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said “he felt a strong bond with Kashi from the day he arrived in the city to file his nomination for Lok Sabha elections in 2014”.

“It is your love and openness that I never felt like I am a ‘bahari’ (outsider),” Modi said while addressing a select group of prominent citizens and intellectuals at the auditorium of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) on Saturday evening.

“You have right to ask me about my performance. In 2014 I had said three things: I will never compromise with hard work; I will do nothing with bad intention, and I will do nothing for myself. I feel that till now I have not derailed from my sayings,”Modi added.

In his 32-minute address, PM touched upon heritage of Kashi, his first speech in the UN in which he proposed for the World Yoga Day, economic performance of the country, Ganga pollution, Swachhata campaign, investment in UP, visit of Japanese PM to Varanasi, tourism, etc.

Highlighting the need for balanced growth, Modi said: “Modernity is essential as per need of the time, but the soul of Kashi, which is in its heritage, should not be hurt at any cost.”

“The country has made a rapid growth in economy. Now we have surpassed France, and we have to leave Britain behind. We have to think how to make India a five trillion dollar economy,” he said.

Emphasising ‘Beti Bachao’ scheme, Modi said he met a doctor who does not charge fee on birth of a baby girl. “I also received good response on my appeal to doctors for free check up of pregnant women on 9th of every month,” he said.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath released a booklet, ‘Meri Kashi’, and also a documentary highlighting the four-year development journey of Varanasi in PM’s presence.

The 1000-seat auditorium was full during the meet attended by professors, intellectuals and businessmen among others.

UP governor Ram Naik and state BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey were also present.

