Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state has undergone a major transformation from a period of alleged lawlessness and mafia influence to an era focused on development, heritage and public safety.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of the Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra from Vadnagar to Kashi, Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has changed significantly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government. The yatra was organised as part of celebrations marking Modi’s completion of 25 years in public life.
Yogi Says Uttar Pradesh Has Changed
Yogi Adityanath said there was a time when mafia groups allegedly exercised significant influence in Uttar Pradesh, with concerns over land, public safety and business conditions.
He said women and girls once felt unsafe travelling after evening hours, while traders lived under fear. According to the Chief Minister, the situation has changed and the state has moved towards greater development and security.
Yogi also credited the broader governance approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strengthening the focus on development and public welfare.
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‘New India’ Defined by Development and Heritage
The Chief Minister said the identity of the New India and New Uttar Pradesh is increasingly being shaped by development and heritage. He cited projects and major developments such as the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Maa Vindhyavasini Corridor, the Maha Kumbh and the activity around Mathura-Vrindavan as examples of this transformation.
Yogi said these initiatives reflect the combination of infrastructure development and cultural heritage in the state’s development narrative.
Yogi Praises Modi’s Gujarat Tenure
Yogi recalled that Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, marking the beginning of his 25-year journey in public life.
He referred to the challenges Gujarat faced following the devastating Bhuj earthquake and said the state subsequently returned to a development path under Modi’s leadership. Yogi described Gujarat as a model state under Modi and said the same leadership has since contributed to India’s emergence as a stronger and more secure country.
Yogi Congratulates PM Modi on 25 Years in Public Life
Yogi Adityanath congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public service and said people across the country were observing the milestone through various programmes.
He said the vision of a developed and self-reliant India can be achieved only when every district, town, village and state works towards becoming developed and self-reliant. The Seva Sankalp campaign is part of nationwide programmes marking Modi’s 25 years in public life, which began with his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001.
Vadnagar-to-Kashi Yatra Highlights ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’
Yogi described the Vadnagar-to-Kashi journey as an expression of the Prime Minister’s 25 years of service and a symbol of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’.
The bikers travelled through 10 states during the journey. As part of the symbolic exchange, Ganga water from Kashi was taken to Gujarat, while water from Gujarat’s rivers and Hatkeshwar Mahadev was brought to Kashi for offering at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Yogi praised the participants for completing the journey despite heat, rain and other difficulties, calling their effort an example of the determination and energy of India’s youth.
Yogi Praises Seva Sankalp Campaign
Yogi also praised the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being conducted under the leadership of BJP national president Nitin Nabin.
The month-long campaign runs from September 17 to October 17 and includes programmes focused on public participation and service activities.
Yogi urged young people to carry forward the message of the campaign and prepare themselves for upcoming programmes. He said the energy of the country’s youth would be important in achieving the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.
Senior Leaders Attend Closing Ceremony
Several senior political leaders attended the concluding ceremony in Kashi, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Vadodara MP and BJYM national president Hemang Joshi, Union Minister of State for Finance and BJP Uttar Pradesh president Pankaj Chaudhary, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.
During the event, Yogi Adityanath also joined students for a photograph in front of a rangoli based on the Seva Sankalp campaign. A short film highlighting the campaign was also screened at the programme.
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