Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in his Lok Sabha constituency today, where he paid floral tributes to Madan Mohan Malaviya's statue and visited the Assi Ghat.

He also took part in a function at Banaras Hindu University's Swatantrata Bhawan. Here is what he said during a speech there:

    "This is a century of knowledge. And India has a huge role to play."
    "Our education apparatus can't be one that produces robots. There has to be overall personality development."
    "Whether it is science or technology, the vibrant mind of a young student is very important."
    "In this land of the Ganga, there was education of culture. But, more importantly, there was a culture of education.
    "People always thank their mother and teacher for their achievements."
    "Today, what the world needs are good teachers."
    "Good education is linked with good teachers. We need to think how we can have good teachers."
    "We need to think how we can create an environment where children want to become good teachers."
    "A student who wants to become a teacher will not study just for exams but will closely observe the teachers and get inspired."
    "If we can train such people, we can give good teachers to the world: PM Modi in Varanasi."
    "Our culture is our strength, be it our songs, dance or art. These are very precious."
    "Good governance is key to a nation's development."
    "Every school can develop a mastery on any one aspect of Varanasi and this can be a great way to showcase Kashi."
    "A tourist will come here drawn to the beautiful past but he or she will stay when we create systems that make them stay here."
    "After my experience of six months I can say the world is looking at India."


Earlier, the Prime Minister spoke at Assi Ghat. Here are the highlights of what he said there:

 PM Modi thanks those involved in the cleaning up of the Assi Ghat.

 "When I had come here in November, we had promised to clean this place up. The civic body and the government have taken this programme seriously. We can see the difference. The (Assi) Ghat is looking cleaner.

 "People across the country have appreciated the Swachh Bharat campaign.

"I am going to nominate more people to the Swach Bharat campaign, both organisations and personalities, like Nagaland Governor PB Acharya, Dr Kiran Bedi, Sonal Mansingh,

Kapil Sharma, Saurav Ganguly, Aroon Purie, Ramoji Rao, the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI) and Mumbai's dabbawalas."

"Today is December 25. I convey my Christmas greetings to everyone."

 "Today is the birthday of 'Mahamana' Madan Mohan Malaviya and of Atal Bihari Vajpayiji. I pay my respects to them."

 "My heartiest congratulations to Atalji on his birthday."

Source: NDTV