PM lands in Kochi, walks on road greeting people

Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kochi to attend BJP's youth conference 'Yuvam 23' on Monday. He received a rousing welcome in Kochi with thousands of people, including BJP workers and supporters, lining up on both sides of the nearly two-kilometre long route of his road show from Venduruthi Bridge to Sacred Heart College ground in Thevara here.

Modi landed at the naval air station after 5 PM and commenced his road show around 5.40 PM.

Dressed in traditional Kerala attire -- a kasavu mundu, a shawl and a kurta -- Modi began the road show on foot and waved to the people on both sides of the road and atop buildings along the route, which was under a tight security net with thousands of police personnel being deployed to ensure Modi's safety.

People of all age groups, from various parts of the state, were lined up on both sides of the road, hours in advance, to welcome Modi and they showered him with flowers along the entire route.

Initially, Modi walked surrounded by SPG personnel with security vehicles in the front and the back. Later he climbed onto an SUV and stood on its footboard to wave back at the people.

Enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters carrying party flags, wearing party hats or caps and holding placards with Modi's photograph also lined up on both sides of the road and cheered him on with chants of 'Modi-Modi' and drum beats.

Huge cutouts of the PM and posters highlighting the programmes he is scheduled to attend in Kerala were placed along the route.

Thousands, including celebrities, had also arrived hours in advance and taken up seats at the Yuvam 2023 event venue and waited for the PM, braving the scorching sun.

Congress leader and former Defence Minister A K Antony's son Anil, who recently joined BJP, actor and former Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi and actors Unni Mukundan and Aparna Balamurali were among those who were waiting at the venue to greet the PM.

Actress Navya Nair's dance performance and Stephen Devassy's musical performance were staged before the official inauguration of the event.

After attending the Yuvam 2023, the PM is scheduled to hold a meeting with the heads of different Church denominations at 7:45 pm. Following this meeting, to be held at Hotel Taj Malabar, he will be staying overnight at the same hotel.
(with PTI inputs)