"Overwhelmed" by the "love and blessings" showered on him by people of Varanasi, BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi today vowed to make the temple town the spiritual capital of the world, rid the holy Ganges of pollution, besides helping the struggling weavers.
After culmination of his massive road show, in which tens of thousands of people participated ahead of filing of nomination, the BJP leader tried to strike an emotional chord saying he was feeling like a small boy coming to his mother's lap.
"After coming here, I felt neither BJP has sent me nor I have come here. I am here because Mother Ganga has called me. I am feeling like a small boy coming to mother's lap. I pray to God to give me strength so that I can serve this city," Modi said after the three-hour-long road show.
The BJP strongman said he will make sincere efforts to make Varanasi the spiritual capital of the world.
"I hope God gives me the strength to stand up to the expectations of the people here and do a lot for the people of Varanasi.
"I had got the opportunity to serve Sabarmati river and if I get a chance I would like to do the same for Mother Ganga," he said.
Touching on weavers community of Varanasi, he said there was a need to introduce modern technology in the sector which could be made popular world over.
"It (silk industry) is our pride.I think there is a need to upgrade technology, design and marketing."
"I believe that our weavers can compete with China," he said.
Modi said there was a need to improve infrastructure in the city.
During the three-km long roadshow from Lahurabeer to Kachhari Road, people showered Modi with flower petals and blew conch shells as he waved to large crowd standing on both sides of road as well as those perched on balconies and rooftops.
Election for Varanasi constituency will be held on May 12.
