Heritage autorickshaws to reels: PM Modi’s hometown in spotlight ahead of his birthday
Vadnagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hometown, is set to shine in the months leading up to his 76th birthday on September 17. The Gujarat and Central governments are focusing on promoting the town's heritage through various initiatives. A Shravanotsav 2026 was kicked off on August 13, celebrating the town's spiritual, cultural, and historical significance.
The Vadnagar Lok Shakti Express, a special train, will now run between Ahmedabad and Bandra Lok, with Vadnagar as its final stop. In a bid to modernize the town's transportation, the Gujarat government has launched a contest encouraging the creation of reels showcasing Vadnagar's heritage, with a focus on its culture, history, transformation, past, and future.
Over 43 entries have been submitted so far. Additionally, the Western Railway has extended the Ahmedabad-Bandra Lok Shakti Express to Vadnagar, and the town's autorickshaws have been refurbished with heritage-themed paint on their rear windows. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the Shravanotsav and led a procession through the town, highlighting landmarks like Sharmishtha Lake and the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple.
These efforts aim to reconnect residents with their heritage while attracting tourists to the historic town.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
