Kolkata: Underlining the need for a strong infrastructure in the border areas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the second Cargo Gate of the Land Port Authority of India and inaugurated a slew of development projects of the Land Port Authority of India and Border Security Force (BSF) at Integrated-Check Post Petrapole in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district at the India-Bangladesh border.
The largest land Port in South Asia, Land port Petrapole is located along the international border between India and Bangladesh, at a distance of about 80 km from the city of Kolkata. Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) is an important land border crossing for India-Bangladesh both in terms of trade and passenger movement.
Waxing eloquent about the role of the BSF, Shah asserted that the country’s border security policy is clear and harped on a strong infrastructure in the border areas.
In the country’s economic development, the Petrapole land port plays a pivotal role, he said adding the second cargo gate will solve all problems.
The land port is not only important for the country’s economy but also works as an emissary with the neighbouring countries, Shah stated.
Mentioning about the relationship between the two neighbouring countries, Shah said India and Bangladesh always maintain cordial relation and strong ties.
Iterating that the facilities of welfare schemes have reached the villages in the border areas like the rest of the country, the Home Minister stressed on working towards improving the connectivity of the villages.
Earlier, On the occasion of the 162nd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Shah garlanded the statue of Gurudev at Jorasanko Thakurbari and paid tributes.
Shah then went round the Thakurbari, accompanied by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar.
Taking to twitter, Shah said, “Every word Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur wrote liberated India’s spirit to dream of independence amidst the chaos and pain of slavery, as his enchanting wisdom guides our soul even today. Paid my humble tribute to Gurudev on his birth anniversary at Jorasanko Thakurbari, Kolkata.”
” My tribute to Gurudev Tagore on his birth anniversary. His thoughts on justice and equality shaped India’s worldview while his timeless works provided the intellectual foundation for the freedom movement, ” he added.
” He remains a visionary poet & beacon of light for us, ” Shah stated.
Later in the day, Shah will attend a function at Science City for the release of the full dome film “Luminaries of Bengal” and inauguration of several projects to be followed by attending Rabindra Jayanti celebration by “Khola Hawa”.
Swapan Dasgupta, President, Khola Hawa, and former MP (Rajya Sabha), said, Shah will speak on Tagore’s influence on modern Indian thought.
The event is being supported by the Ministry of Culture as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations in the country, Dasgupta said.
