Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that after the inauguration of the grand Ram temple on January 22 next year, the footfall in the temple town of Ayodhya would increase by 10 times and this would transform the city economically and socially.
In his address after paying obeisance to Lord Shri Ram, Mata Janaki and Laxman in the symbolic coronation programme at Ramkatha Park on the occasion of Deepotsav, Chief Minister Yogi urged the residents of Ayodhya to start preparations for that historic programme on January 22 next year from now onwards, with the resolution of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.
“Whosoever comes is your guest, treat them with respect,” he said.
The chief minister said that after 500 years of sacrifices, movements and campaigns, Lord Shri Ram was going to adorn his grand temple. “Now it is the responsibility of the people of Ayodhya to accord a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he comes to Ayodhya on January 22 (next year),” he said.
Greeting people on Diwali, the chief minister said: “We all are fortunate that we are witnessing the festival of lights here. This festival is happening live in more than 100 countries. The world is watching how Lord Shri Ram would have come to Ayodhya in Pushpak Viman thousands of years ago and how the gods had showered flowers on him.”
“When we started this programme seven years ago, there was disbelief among people. With the help of saints and public representatives, today we are realising the prime minister’s vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. We all are seeing the new Ayodhya being built,” he said.
The chief minister said that the prime minister had strengthened the vision of Lord Shri Ram’s Ram rajya in the last nine and a half years. “Be it a natural calamity, the problem of terrorism or other problems, work has been done for the welfare of the poor while eliminating fears from society. Free arrangements for housing, toilets, electricity connections and health insurance of Rs 5 lakh have been made for the poor. Not only this, the work of providing free tests, free treatment, free vaccines and free food grains has been done since the COVID-19 period,” he said.
In her address on this occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel said that this divine festival of lights highlighted Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya.
“Lord Shri Ram and Ramayana are the bearers of Indian culture and social values. There is Ramayana in every house. In some form or the other, Lord Shri Ram has had his presence in every part of the world. Lord Shri Ram is revered by tribals and forest dwellers also. As a result of the construction of the temple in Ayodhya, there will be a big change in employment and economy,” she said.
On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, a large number of saints, state government ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Jaiveer Singh, Rakesh Sachan, Ayodhya MP Lallu Singh and MLAs, district panchayat chairperson, members of Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and various cultural and social groups were present.