Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated a grand exhibition in Varanasi to mark 12 years of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was held at Girija Devi Cultural Complex, Chowkaghat, and highlighted achievements across multiple government departments along with direct benefit distribution to beneficiaries.
The programme featured the inauguration of exhibitions, distribution of welfare certificates and cheques, and the launch of the ODOP (One District One Product) food cart initiative.
Exhibition Showcasing Government Achievements Across Departments
The exhibition displayed achievements and initiatives from several departments including:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Social Welfare
- Tourism
- Panchayati Raj
- Fisheries
- APEDA
- Khadi and Village Industries
The event highlighted the progress made under various central and state welfare schemes over the past 12 years.
ODOP Food Cart Launched to Promote Local Products
A key highlight of the event was the launch of a food cart under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. The cart showcased traditional Varanasi delicacies such as:
- Banarasi lassi
- Tiramisu barfi
- Launglata
- Banarasi paan
The initiative aims to promote local cuisine and support small entrepreneurs and street vendors.
Beneficiaries Receive Certificates, Cheques and Support
CM Yogi personally distributed benefits to multiple beneficiaries under various schemes. These included:
- Street vendor identity certificates under PM SVANidhi scheme
- Credit cards for vendors
- Financial assistance cheques under CM Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan
- Sewing machines under Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana
Notable beneficiaries included individuals receiving assistance ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for self-employment and business support.
Special Health Camp and Interaction with Citizens
A special medical camp was also organized at the venue where CM Yogi interacted with patients undergoing health check-ups. He also distributed sweets among children and citizens and engaged directly with beneficiaries of government schemes.
Visit to Kashi Vishwanath and Kal Bhairav Temple
After the event, CM Yogi visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Kal Bhairav Temple for darshan and prayers. He highlighted the transformation of Varanasi under PM Modi’s leadership and expressed pride in the city’s global recognition.
Strong Remarks on Governance Before 2014
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister criticized previous governments, alleging corruption, poor governance, and lack of development before 2014. He said that earlier policies had weakened internal security, agriculture, and employment opportunities.
He contrasted it with the current governance model, stating that welfare schemes are now reaching beneficiaries directly through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), eliminating middlemen and corruption.
Highlighting Welfare Schemes and Development Achievements
CM Yogi emphasized major national achievements including:
- Construction of toilets for over 12 crore households
- Housing for nearly 4 crore homeless families
- Expansion of DBT-based financial assistance
- Growth in infrastructure and transportation systems
He also highlighted modernization of railway stations and development of trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat.
Varanasi’s Transformation Under PM Modi’s Leadership
The Chief Minister said that Varanasi has undergone a major transformation with improved infrastructure, reduced traffic congestion, and rising tourism footfall of 15–20 lakh visitors annually.
He added that the city is now a global cultural and spiritual hub, with continuous development in connectivity and urban infrastructure.
India’s Global Position and Economic Strength
Referring to global challenges, CM Yogi said that despite worldwide inflation and economic instability, India remains strong under the leadership of PM Modi. He credited government policies for ensuring stability and citizen welfare even in difficult global conditions.
Call for Continued Support for Development
Concluding his address, CM Yogi prayed for the long life and good health of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reiterated the commitment to building a “Developed India.” He urged citizens to continue supporting ongoing development initiatives aimed at inclusive growth and economic empowerment.
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