Describing Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya as the proponent of "integral humanism" while paying tribute to him on his 106th birth anniversary, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that after gaining independence, Panditji drew the government’s focus towards realities of life ensuring uplift of the poor and downtrodden.
On the occasion, the chief minister said, “Today, the entire country is remembering Pt Deendayalji, his ideas of "integral humanism" and "Antyodaya" (empowerment of the most deprived) have been at the centre of the BJP's ideology and the driving force behind BJP’s good governance.”
He went on to say that Panditji always stressed that progress should not be measured on the basis of the rich becoming more successful but when the poor and downtrodden get uplift.
Stating that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was the first that worked to realise Panditji’s vision, the chief minister said that to provide ration to every poor, massive programmes were commenced like the Antyodaya Annapurna and below poverty line (BPL) scheme at that time.
“Also, to take development to the grassroots, projects like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and Golden Quadrilateral Project for infrastructure development were taken forward,” he added.
The chief minister continued, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is now working to realise the vision of Panditji and Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, by ensuring holistic development through ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, through which every needy is getting a roof.”
He added, “For the first time after independence, four crore families were provided electricity connection, about 2.5 crore families were given the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and about 10 crore got toilets.”
Moreover, Yogi said, 80 crore people received free foodgrains even during the COVID-19 pandemic and about 50 lakh people got annual insurance of Rs 5 lakh to avail proper health services.
He said the work of the government derived inspiration from the ideals of great men like Pandit Deendayalji. “What he envisioned years before is being realised today under Prime Minister Modi’s government,” Yogi added.
UP’s Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh, among other dignitaries, were present on this occasion.