Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had changed both the image and the destiny of India and that under his leadership, India’s global respect had gone up significantly while the borders had become secure.
Addressing a programme held as part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Sanjhai, Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership the country was witnessing the construction of world-class infrastructure, including highways, railways and airports, in addition to world-class health institutes and fertiliser factories.
Yogi added that to enhance public convenience, extensive efforts are being made to connect every village with roads and provide villagers access to clean drinking water.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth Rs 6.47 crore, and interacted with the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes on the occasion.
He further highlighted that prior to the Bharatiya Janata Party forming governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, people faced challenges in accessing basic necessities like toilets, housing, rations, healthcare, roads and electricity.
However, with the formation of the government under Narendra Modi’s leadership in 2014, a familial approach was adopted towards the 140 crore citizens and the government started working for their welfare diligently, he pointed out.
The chief minister added that this commitment and honesty of the BJP government have earned it continuous trust and blessings of the people.
Chief Minister Yogi stated that the government is providing benefits of schemes without any discrimination to every eligible person, especially the underprivileged.
“In the past, the ration mafia devoured the essential supplies meant for the poor. Thanks to anti-corruption measures of the government, 80 crore people nationwide, including 15 crore in UP, now receive free ration. Previously, inadequate healthcare claimed lives of the poor, but today, 50 crore people across the country, with 10 crore in UP, benefit from a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh annually under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Besides, four crore impoverished families nationwide, including 55 lakh in UP, have got houses,” he said.
The chief minister underscored the transformative initiatives for the welfare of the impoverished, noting the previous lack of access to toilets, which compromised the dignity of women through open defecation. Presently, significant strides have been made with the construction of toilets for 12 crore individuals nationwide, including three crore in UP, he pointed out.
He added: “In the past, households lacked essential fuel sources, such as cooking gas cylinders, kerosene or coal. However, today, 10 crore underprivileged individuals across the country, with 1.75 crore in UP, have been provided free LPG connections. Additionally, the state government has initiated the distribution of free LPG cylinders during Holi and Diwali. These endeavours aim to enhance the well-being of the poor and concurrently generate employment opportunities for the youth. To empower rural communities, initiatives like the Swamitva Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana are underway, ensuring farmers receive rightful ownership of their homes.”
Chief Minister Yogi said that the schemes of the Central and state governments were bringing about positive changes in the lives of the poor, adding that if the country moved forward with a pledge and determination, by the time it would be celebrating the centenary year of Independence in 2047, it would be fully developed, eradicating poverty, illiteracy, chaos and insecurity.
“The goal is to see India not just as a developed nation, but as a global leader, where every citizen’s face radiates happiness. The development process will be complete, instilling pride in every Indian and garnering admiration worldwide,” he remarked.
Chief Minister Yogi said that Prime Minister Modi initiated the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra on November 15, 2023, with these resolutions in mind.
The chief minister said that the government would ensure provision of benefits of welfare schemes to all those who had until now been deprived of it.
Emphasising the aim for 100 per cent satisfaction in these initiatives, he said that garnering the people’s blessings would accelerate the pace of development.
The chief minister highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s guarantee van as a vehicle to uphold this commitment.
During the event, the chief minister also mentioned the remarkable development that has taken place at Sanjhai and the neighbouring areas as well as in Gorakhpur under the double-engine government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi congratulated people for the upcoming Khichdi fair and the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla.
MP Ravikishan Shukla, Mayor Dr Manglesh Srivastava, MLA Mahendrapal Singh, Vipin Singh, Shriram Chauhan, Pradeep Shukla, MLC Dr Dharmendra Singh, BJP district president Yudhishthir Singh, metropolitan president Rajesh Gupta and others were present at the event.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also engaged with the beneficiaries who shared their positive experiences of various government schemes during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Renu Chauhan, Dinesh Pandey, Anil Chand and Sheela Devi, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM SVANidhi, Ayushman Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana, expressed their gratitude to the chief minister while recounting their experiences.
In the event, the chief minister presented certificates and blankets to recipients of the PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Yojana, PM SVANidhi Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra pledge was administered to all participants at the programme’s outset.
Prior to the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected stalls arranged by various departments and served food to young children.
