Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that the state was moving towards becoming India’s second largest economy.
He said India had witnessed unprecedented growth in the eight years of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Civic amenities have increased across the country while all sections of society, including farmers, youth and women are benefitting from the welfare and development schemes of the government. People’s confidence in the government has increased remarkably,” the chief minister said while addressing the joint sitting of the state legislature,
“Prime Minister Modi has given five formulas to celebrate India’s Amrit Mahotsava. These are: Azadi ki urja ka mahotsava, Swadhinta senaniyon se prerna ka mahotsava, Naye vicharon ka mahotsava, Naye sankalpon ka mahotsava and Atma nirbharta ko prapt karne ka Mahotsava,” he pointed out.
The chief minister said the next 25 years to be observed as Amrit Kaal was the time for “us to set new goals and work hard to achieve them in order to make India self-reliant in all fields:.
The chief minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s prestige on the global platform had increased.
Yogi described the personality of President Ram Nath Kovind as “inspiring”, pointing out that despite his humble background; he made it to the highest constitutional post of the country with his honest effort, which was also reflective of the strength of Indian democracy.
Welcoming President Kovind to deliver an address as the country celebrates 75 years of Indian Independence as Amrit Mahotsava, the chief minister said it was an occasion to celebrate the valour of all those freedom fighters who took part in India’s first battle for independence in 1857, which was cradled in UP, and all the great leaders who became part of UP’s legislature in the independent India, including among others Madan Mohan Malviya, Moti Lal Nehru, Mahadevi Verma, Acharya Narendra Dev, Ishwari Prasad and former prime ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri, Chaudhary Charan Singh and VP Singh. He added that the state legislature had also been witness to various social, economic and political developments taking place.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel said that Uttar Pradesh was one state that had given nine prime ministers to the country while UP’s legislature boasted of having several luminaries, including among others Govind Ballabh Pant, Sir Syed Ahmed, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Purushottam Das and Acharya Narendra Dev.
She said: “As the country celebrates Amrit Mahotasva, the gracious presence of President Ram Nath Kovind at the joint sitting of UP’s legislature is inspiring. The president will be sharing his rich parliamentary experience as well as broader and inclusive vision with the members. Good parliamentary conduct and seriousness are a must for a thriving democracy. We are proud of our democratic traditions.”
Governor Patel added: “Amrit Mahotsav is an opportunity to look at and appreciate the role played by our freedom fighters, martyrs and leaders. It is also an occasion to renew our pledge to make India self-reliant.”
She added that India was fast emerging from the darkness of poverty.
Leader of opposition and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also addressed the occasion. He later shared a picture of the joint sitting. “The festival of democracy should go on forever,” he tweeted.