Lucknow, Jan 24 (Representative) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday urged citizens rise above superficial divisions on the basis of caste, region, language and religion and come together to elevate and place the state among the most prosperous states of the country.Addressing the gathering during the ‘UP Diwas’ celebration at Awadh Shilpgram on the occasion of 74th Foundation Day of the state, the CM said, “As we are bringing UP out of darkness and taking it to the pinnacle of development, we also must associate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and expose the divisive forces and crackdown on the corrupt. ‘Highlighting the role of the state in the country’s development, he said UP has played a significant role in creating a modern India. “UP became the focal point of the country’s first freedom struggle,” he said.Yogi said, “Mangal Pandey in Barrackpore announced the start of the freedom movement, which was led by Rani Lakshmi Bai from Jhansi, Bandhu Singh from Gorakhpur and Dhan Singh Kotwal from Meerut.
This state saw both the Kakori train incident and the Chauri Chaura incident. This land belongs to freedom fighters and their countless sacrifices.”He said the origin of India’s Vedic knowledge, Naimisharanya of Sitapur, is in UP. “Although we have everything, Prime Minister Modi gave us a sense of pride and dignity. Today, UP has once again stood up with courage and is moving forward,” he said.The CM pointed out that in 2017, when the double-engine government was formed in the state, former Governor Ram Naik inspired us all to celebrate the Foundation Day of UP. “On this occasion, our government launched the flagship scheme of ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP). The ODOP scheme has doubled UP’s exports. Before 2017, UP was known as the state of riots and the hub of criminal activities, today, it is referred to as the hub of exports. This is the inspiring story of the brand-new UP,” he said. Informing that on the occasion of UP Diwas, the Planning Department has issued a Family Card, the CM said, “The dashboard for Millet Promotion Scheme and Natural Farming was inaugurated by the Agriculture Department. We have already provided 2 crore tablets and laptops to the youth here.
“He said, “Together with the central government, the state government is going to give the benefits of CM Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, which was inaugurated by Governor Anandiben Patel today, to seven and a half lakh graduated youths of the state in the next one year. “He said, “On this occasion, ODOP’s 6 beneficiary-oriented schemes and the Uttar Pradesh Notary Management website have been launched.”Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving UP the opportunity to host 11 G-20 programmes, the CM said Lucknow is one of the four cities where these programmes will be held. “Through the Global Investors Summit to be held between February 10 to 12, investment worth lakhs of crores of rupees is going to come to UP. Now the youth here will not have to go to other countries and different states of the country for jobs and employment. A lot of opportunities will be available here. We have to be ready to welcome investors and entrepreneurs coming to UP,” he said.During the program, 16 artists were given Vivekananda Youth Award by the Youth Welfare Department. Five artisans and handicrafts men associated with the Mati Kala Board were honoured with the Mati Kala Khadi Gramodyog Award whereas nine players were honored with the Laxman and Rani Laxmi Bai awards by the Sports Department. Along with this, three Divyang players were also honoured on the occasion.