PM Modi during his boat ride KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a short break from his hectic Bengal poll campaign schedule on Friday to enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganga, which, he said, “flows right through the soul of Bengal”.Modi, who had spent the night at Raj Bhavan, reached Man O War Jetty for a walk around 7am. He spent some time along the banks chatting with morning walkers and then hired a boat for a ride on the Hooghly.Later, he posted on X, “The sacred waters of the Ganga carry forward the eternal consciousness of the entire civilisation… I made a little effort to capture photos of this sacred Ganga. I also saw the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge from very close by. Yesterday evening, during the long roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata, I was on Howrah Bridge. And this morning, I saw this bridge from the Hooghly river,” he said.Boatman Prabir Biswas, 44, said it was a little past 7am when some people arrived and hired seven boats.“They didn’t reveal the purpose. It was only when we saw PM Modi descending the ghat steps that we realised today was going to be special,” he said.The PM was allotted a boat rowed by Gouranga Biswas, 72. “I spend most nights on my boat here. The PM came and asked my name in Bengali. I am not good at Hindi. I replied in Bengali,” said Gouranga. The PM paid him Rs 1,000 for the 35-minute ride, Rs 300 more than what they usually charge for an hour.The senior boatman said Modi did not speak much once they were mid-river.“It was only after we returned that he called me over and gave me a tight hug,” said Gouranga. “Ever since the interaction, I am being mobbed by strangers asking me about my feelings. It still feels unreal.”The other boatmen said they were briefed by the PM’s security personnel. “They asked us to follow a formation similar to one used for a VIP cavalcade on the road. A boat with three security personnel stayed in the front, and another with security personnel stayed at the rear. The three other boats surrounded the PM’s boat, keeping some distance. Divers and security personnel also stood at the ghat, keeping a sharp eye.A few other boatmen stayed on the ghat to ensure PM’s boat was safely anchored for him to alight. Mohammed Iftikhar Ahmed, 38, was one of them. “Yahan pe sab mil jul ke rehna, khush rehna (All of you live here together cordially and stay happy),” the PM told him.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123Photostories10 adorable three-letter baby girl namesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why does Aloo Bhujia stick to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looks123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap
PM Modi during his boat ride
KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a short break from his hectic Bengal poll campaign schedule on Friday to enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganga, which, he said, “flows right through the soul of Bengal”.Modi, who had spent the night at Raj Bhavan, reached Man O War Jetty for a walk around 7am. He spent some time along the banks chatting with morning walkers and then hired a boat for a ride on the Hooghly.Later, he posted on X, “The sacred waters of the Ganga carry forward the eternal consciousness of the entire civilisation… I made a little effort to capture photos of this sacred Ganga. I also saw the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge from very close by. Yesterday evening, during the long roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata, I was on Howrah Bridge. And this morning, I saw this bridge from the Hooghly river,” he said.Boatman Prabir Biswas, 44, said it was a little past 7am when some people arrived and hired seven boats.“They didn’t reveal the purpose. It was only when we saw PM Modi descending the ghat steps that we realised today was going to be special,” he said.The PM was allotted a boat rowed by Gouranga Biswas, 72. “I spend most nights on my boat here. The PM came and asked my name in Bengali. I am not good at Hindi. I replied in Bengali,” said Gouranga. The PM paid him Rs 1,000 for the 35-minute ride, Rs 300 more than what they usually charge for an hour.The senior boatman said Modi did not speak much once they were mid-river.“It was only after we returned that he called me over and gave me a tight hug,” said Gouranga. “Ever since the interaction, I am being mobbed by strangers asking me about my feelings. It still feels unreal.”The other boatmen said they were briefed by the PM’s security personnel. “They asked us to follow a formation similar to one used for a VIP cavalcade on the road. A boat with three security personnel stayed in the front, and another with security personnel stayed at the rear. The three other boats surrounded the PM’s boat, keeping some distance. Divers and security personnel also stood at the ghat, keeping a sharp eye.A few other boatmen stayed on the ghat to ensure PM’s boat was safely anchored for him to alight. Mohammed Iftikhar Ahmed, 38, was one of them. “Yahan pe sab mil jul ke rehna, khush rehna (All of you live here together cordially and stay happy),” the PM told him.
