Lucknow, Jan 29 (Agency) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that if the young leaders of the world work together with commitment towards democracy, it will pave the way for the welfare of humanity not only in India, but across the world. During a meeting of the participants of the Gen Next Democracy Network programme at his official residence, the CM said, “All the countries of the world are working together with the spirit of India’s ancient motto ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is a family), while having adopted democracy in some form or the other which can provide a new inspiration to the world.” On this occasion, the CM also felicitated the young leaders from Argentina, Botswana, Canada, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan and Lithuania on behalf of the UP government and citizens. Yogi said that India, which is currently celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of its independence, is not only the largest democracy in the world, but also the mother of all democracies as it is deeply rooted in the country since ancient times.
He said that UP represents the spiritual and cultural ethos of India and is an important state in many ways. “UP plays the most important role in India’s food production in this state. With 11 percent cultivable land, we produce 20 per cent of India’s total food grains. UP is number one in India in food grain production and number one in sugarcane production. UP is number one in vegetable and milk production as well. For the last few years, the work done in the field of infrastructure in UP has instilled a new confidence in the state as well as in the entire country,” he said. Welcoming the young leaders, the CM said, “I am happy that you have come here after visiting the oldest city of the world, Kashi. Kashi is the city of India’s spiritual and cultural identity. This city has been known since the beginning of creation. Not only this, along with Kashi, India has also given the world’s oldest scripture Rigveda to the world.” He said, “I am happy that the young leaders of Japan are also here. The memories of Japan are linked to India, because India and the land of UP play an important role in it, be it the land of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment or the land of his attainment of perfection, his Mahaparinirvana place or his holy land. These cultural relations between India and Japan are very ancient. You yourself must have seen those memories of Japan in Varanasi. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe himself took this programme forward through the India-Japan Cultural Council.”
Referring to the relations of India and UP with Indonesia, the CM said that Ramlila of Indonesia is famous in the world. “Every year I invite Indonesia’s Ramlila to perform in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram and I am happy that Ramlila from Indonesia fascinates the people of the entire UP,” he said. Yogi said, “It is a matter of great pride for all of us in the year of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, countries are working with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the guiding philosophy of India since ancient times, while India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have got the opportunity to chair the G20 countries.” He said that on the one hand young leaders associated with major democracies of the world are coming to India through this event organised by ICCR, and on the other G20 summits are also going to be held at different places in India under the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
The CM said that democratic values are supreme in India and UP and its best example was seen during the pandemic when 80 crore people were provided free ration while more than 220 crore vaccine doses were given to the people free of cost. He said that free vaccines were made available to more than 25 countries of the world. “In UP, we are running many programmes which are bringing changes to the lives of common citizens and making them self-reliant. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, every citizen of the country and the state feels proud because he knows that not only India is in safe hands, but also the interests of every citizen are protected,” he said. Yogi said, “The G-20 summit will also work in the future to further this spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and I am sure that the young leaders of all the prestigious countries of the world will be successful in furthering this spirit of democracy.”