Varanasi: In a humanitarian gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted shoes to workers, priests and guards of Kashi Vishwanatha temple seeing them working barefooted. He was moved by the condition of the workers and decided to give them shoes made of jute to protect them from catching cold, said the source.
Besides, it is forbidden for the staff and visitors to wear leather or rubber footwear on the temple premises. These include priests, sevadars, security guards, sanitation workers and others, the government sources added.
Deepak Agarwal, divisional commissioner, said, "Today, at least 100 pairs of shoes were distributed among priests, workers, guards and others of Kashi Dham. It was sent by the Prime Minister's office. The Prime Minister took the matter seriously and offered shoes as gifts to workers, priests and guards of the temple."
"We are also seeing heavy footfall of devotees to Kashi Dham shrine from different towns and cities. But, to maintain social distancing as well as Covid protocols, the entry of people to the sanctum sanctorum of Shrine has been banned," added the Divisional Commissioner.
