Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the warm welcome given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the people of Ayodhya was a preview of the new Ayodhya in New India.

Addressing a public meeting in Ayodhya, the chief minister said, “Avadhpuri prabhu aavat jani, Bhai sakal shobha ke khani… In January 2024, the grand temple is set to host the divine presence of the Lord, a momentous occasion facilitated by the auspicious hands of Prime Minister Modi Ji. The 500-year-long anticipation is on the verge of fulfillment. Preceding the Lord's arrival, the prime minister harboured a visionary dream – to transform Ayodhya into the most beautiful city globally.”

The chief minister warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the substantial projects, amounting to thousands of crores, dedicated to the development of both Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya. The chief minister presented the prime minister with the statue of ‘Bal Ram Lalla’ during the event.

The chief minister said that Ayodhya was connected to excellent four-lane, six-lane and eight-lane roads to be inaugurated by the prime minister. He highlighted the commendable railway infrastructure, including the introduction of a new railway junction, the launch of the Vande Bharat train, and the introduction of two new Amrit Bharat trains.

“The prime minister also initiated a programme to link Lord Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya to Mata Sita’s birthplace in Sitamarhi. While Lord Ram is believed to have arrived in Ayodhya by Pushpak Viman during the Treta Yug, today, the prime minister gave the gift of an international airport to the people of Ayodhya,” the chief minister said.

Highlighting a significant transformation, the chief minister remarked that Ayodhya, once a place people hesitated even to mention, has emerged with a new identity, thanks to Prime Minister Modi Ji.

Underscoring this transformation, the chief minister emphasised that the prime minister has set a remarkable record by frequently visiting Ayodhya, a city once met with hesitation.

“Modi ji’s vision has paved the way for a new identity for Uttar Pradesh and heritage cities like Ayodhya. The prime minister is actively bestowing Ayodhya with top-notch development, infrastructure and connectivity enhancements in preparation for the auspicious date of January 22,” he added.

Expressing gratitude, the chief minister said that the prime minister had named this international airport in Ayodhya after the Trikaldarshi Rishi Maharishi Valmiki ji, who united this world with Lord Ram.

“Maharishi Valmiki is the first sage to convey Ramayana to all of us in a cosmic form. The decision to name the international airport after him is a moment that instills pride in India”s traditions and heritage,” he said.

The chief minister said, “After January 22, Ayodhya, the country and the world must have a new experience of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.

On this occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Jyotiraditya Scindia, VK Singh, UP Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, UP ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Jitin Prasada, Dayashankar Singh, Jaiveer Singh, MP Lallu Singh, MLC Hariom Pandey, MLA Ved Prakash Gupta, Dr Amit Singh Chauhan, district panchayat chairperson Roli Singh and others were present.