Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled the statue of ‘Veerangana’ Rani Durgavati at the main entrance of the medical college in Banda during his one-day visit to the district on Thursday.

The chief minister praised Rani Durgavati as a legendary warrior in Indian history who laid down her life to defend the motherland.

He emphasised that the statue will stand as a symbol of her valor and sacrifice, serving as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.

During his interaction with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, the chief minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating development projects in Banda.

He announced plans to revisit the district soon to inaugurate several new initiatives. He also instructed public representatives and officials to ensure that all development projects are completed maintaining high quality and within the stipulated timelines.

Additionally, the chief minister visited the ancestral home of Telangana state’s BJP general secretary Chandrashekhar in Mahua village. There, he paid tribute to Chandrashekhar’s late mother, offering prayers for her departed soul and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

During this, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Ramkesh Nishad, district panchayat chairperson Sunil Singh Patel, MLA from Sadar Prakash Dwivedi , MLA from Naraini Om Mani Verma, BJP district president Sanjay Singh, Chitrakoot Dham Divisional Commissioner Bal Krishna Tripathi, District Magistrate Nagendra Pratap, Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal and other public representatives and officials were present.

Veerangana Durgavati, one of India’s most revered warrior queens, was born in 1524 in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. She was the daughter-in-law of King Sangram Shah of the Gondwana Empire. After the death of her husband, Raja Dalpat Shah, Rani Durgavati ascended the throne and led the kingdom to greater prosperity and strength.

When Mughal Emperor Akbar’s commander Asaf Khan launched an attack on her kingdom, Rani Durgavati demonstrated unmatched courage and commanded her forces with valour. In the Battle of 1564, she fiercely resisted the invaders, but when defeat seemed inevitable, she chose to embrace martyrdom rather than surrender. Her legacy of bravery, sacrifice and dignity continues to inspire generations.