A grand function was held at the Ganga Pandal in Sector 1 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Sunday to mark the 149th birth anniversary of saintly social reformer Gadge Maharaj.
Paying tribute to Sant Gadge on this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed him as a pioneer of social justice who spearheaded public awareness against caste discrimination, superstition and uncleanliness.
He emphasised that Sant Gadge’s life has been a beacon of inspiration for societal reform and awareness. He said, “Wherever he travelled, he spread the message of education and cleanliness through kirtans, always carrying a broom as a symbol of his mission.”
Chief Minister Yogi recalled Sant Gadge’s belief that “God resides where there is cleanliness” and noted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi furthered this very vision through the launch of the Swachhata Abhiyan on October 2, 2014, which has now become a global movement.
The chief minister remarked that the message of cleanliness propagated by Sant Gadge a century ago continues to inspire millions today. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Swachh Bharat Mission has facilitated the construction of toilets in crores of households, safeguarding women’s dignity and preventing diseases, he added.
Lauding the people of Prayagraj, Chief Minister Yogi commended their exemplary role in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the seamless organisation of the Maha Kumbh. He also praised the city’s improved traffic management and the spirit of hospitality shown by its residents, who have embraced the Maha Kumbh as their own.
Looking ahead, Chief Minister Yogi announced that the 150th birth anniversary of Sant Gadge Maharaj will be celebrated on an even grander scale next year.
He reiterated the double-engine government’s commitment to social welfare and vowed to further amplify the message of cleanliness. Chief Minister Yogi also praised MLC Surendra Chaudhary for organising the grand event. He emphasized that the celebration not only honoured Sant Gadge’s legacy but also reinforced public awareness of vital social reforms.
On this occasion, Saint Santosh Acharya Ji Maharaj of Jagadguru Satua Baba Ashram, Cabinet Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, former Minister Siddharth Nath Singh, Mayor Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani, saint Ashok Maharaj of Jwala Mata temple, MLAs Harsh Vardhan Bajpai, Deepak Patel, Guru Prasad Maurya, Piyush Ranjan Nishad, MLC Surendra Chaudhary, former MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, many Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and followers of Saint Gadge Maharaj were present among others.
