PM inaugurates light and sound show on iconic Howrah Bridge

Also present with Mr Modi were Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the light and sound show from decked-up Millennium Park.

He also tweeted the a video of the light and sound at Howrah Bridge, which joins the twin city of Howrah and Kolkata.

Then Mr Modi headed for Belur Math, the Headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, where he will spend the night.

On Sunday, he is likely to take a bath at River Ganges and meditate in the same room in the Math premises where Swami Vivekananda used to meditate.

Mr Modi visited Belur Math for the first time as the Prime Minister in 2015 and expressed his gratitude to the Ramkrishna Mission monks for allowing him to meditate in the room where Swami Vivekananda used to meditate.

This is Mr Modi’s first visit to West Bengal after the BJP’s massive win in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

On Sunday at around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will address a Kolkata Port Trust (KPT) event at Netaji Indoor Stadium and leave Kolkata at around 12.45 pm.

Earlier, Mr Modi unveiled statue at Old Currency Building in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said, " It has also been decided that 5 iconic museums in the country will be made keeping with international standards. It is being launched from the Indian Museum Kolkata, one of the oldest museums in the world. "

“We're starting a national mission today from Kolkata to re-invent, replan, re-innovate and protect the culture, traditions and heritage of India,” the Prime Minister said.

He said, "It is the endeavour of the central government to keep India's cultural potential in a new form before the world so that India emerges as a major centre of heritage tourism."

“When I saw the exhibition, it felt as if I am living the moments those great painters, artists have composed and lived. I salute this wonderful power of Bengal soil,” Mr Modi said.

“My mind and heart are filled with bliss after being in Kolkata, the city of culture and literature. This is an opportunity for me to refresh myself, salute the glorious art and cultural identity of
Bengal,” the Prime Minister said.

"I want India to emerge as a centre for Heritage Tourism...West Bengal and Kolkata can lead that race. The promotion in tourism will also lead to an increase in job opportunities," he said.

"We are celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. In 2022, when India will be celebrating its 75th independence anniversary, we will also celebrate the 250th birth anniversary of social reformer and educationist Raja Ram Mohan Roy," Mr Modi said.