HIGHLIGHTS: What PM Modi told Bengal on Durga Pujo

PM Modi's virtual address to the people of West Bengal was streamed in polling booth across state's 294 assembly constituencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the people of West Bengal today as he inaugurated Durga Puja celebrations in the state. 

PM Modi's virtual address to the people of West Bengal was streamed in polling booth across state's 294 assembly constituencies.

Here are highlights of what PM Modi said in his speech: 

* Entire nation turns into Bengal during Durga Pujo.

* There is no place in India where Goddess Durga is not represented in some form.

* I pay my respects to the awakened consciousness of Bengal, the spirituality of Bengal, the historicity of Bengal.

* Bengal has answered the call of the nation time and again in the past. Great personalities from Bengal have served the motherland as and when required, with weapons and scriptures, with sacrifice and penance.

* We are celebrating Durga Puja in times of Covid-19, all devotees have shown exemplary restrain. The number of people might be less but the granduer and devotion are the same. The happiness and joy are still boundless. This is the real Bengal

* People must follow Covid-19 protocols, maintain social distancing and wear masks.

* Today, the campaign for the empowerment of women in the country is also continuing at a rapid pace -- whether opening bank accounts of 22 crore women under Jan Dhan Yojana or giving easy loan to crores of women under Mudra scheme or
be it 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign or the law against triple talaq

* This is the idea of the BJP, this is the sanskar and this is also the resolution. Therefore, the campaign for the empowerment of women in the country continues at a rapid pace.