Modi visits Bengal’s ‘soul’, chats up boatmen, walkers

Kolkata: PM Narendra Modi took a short break from his hectic Bengal schedule on Friday to enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganges, which he said "flows right through the soul of Bengal".

The PM, who had spent the night at Raj Bhavan, sprang a surprise as he reached Man O War Jetty (Prinsep Ghat-II) for a walk around 7 am. 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 civilization. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time by the banks of the Hooghly River — as an opportunity to express my gratitude to Ma Ganga. … I also met morning walkers and boatmen. The tireless hard work of the boatmen is truly commendable … Standing on the banks of the Hooghly, I reaffirmed our commitment to working toward the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of our great Bengali society."

He added, "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."

Boatman Prabir Biswas, 44, said it was a little past 7 am when some people arrived and hired seven boats at Man O War Jetty. "We have serial numbers allotted to each of us. Accordingly, seven of us got ready. But they didn't reveal the purpose, they said it was nothing major. 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, who has been a boatman at this ghat for the past 17 years. "I live in Hooghly's Balagarh but 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. He was busy soaking in the majestic view and clicking pictures. "It was only after we returned that he called me over and gave me a tight hug," said Gouranga, adding he had never imagined ever being within striking distance of a Prime Minister. "Ever since the interaction, I am being mobbed by strangers asking me about my feelings. It still feels unreal," he said.

The other boatmen said all seven of them 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. There were security personnel accompanying the PM. Multiple divers, security, and police personnel also stood at the ghat, keeping a sharp eye on the water.

"The trip lasted around 35 minutes as we progressed about 350 metres right into the middle of the river," said Ramananda Gaur, whose boat was occupied by security personnel.

A few other boatmen stayed on the ghat to ensure that the PM's boat was safely anchored for him to alight. Mohammed Iftikhar Ahmed, 38, — hailing from Madhubani in Bihar but now settled in the Port area — was one of them. He was the PM Modi inquired about their wellbeing: "Yahan pe sab mil-jul ke rehna, khush rehna (All of you live here together cordially and stay happy)," the PM told him.

The boatmen hope Modi's boat ride will bring them more customers. "We charge Rs 700-800 per trip for an hour. We hardly get customers in the cruel summer season," said Ahmed.
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