Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Lucknow for Uttar Pradesh foundation day celebrations
Lucknow, January 24
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday arrived in Lucknow for Uttar Pradesh foundation day celebrations. He was warmly welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Uttar Pradesh on their 76th foundation day, highlighting their "invaluable contributions to the richness of Indian culture and heritage."
Praising the rise of Uttar Pradesh from BIMARU to an "exemplary state", PM Modi expressed confidence in the state's potential, proving "immensely valuable in keeping the nation's progress dynamic".
"Heartiest congratulations to all my family members from Uttar Pradesh, who have made invaluable contributions to the richness of Indian culture and heritage, on the occasion of the state's Foundation Day," PM Modi posted on X.
PM Modi said that the people of the state are also dedicated to development, which comes with the double-engine government, adding, "Through the participation of the people here, who are dedicated to the double-engine government and development, our state has traversed the journey from being a BIMARU state to an exemplary province over the past nine years. I firmly believe that Uttar Pradesh's potential will prove immensely valuable in keeping the nation's progress dynamic."
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the state's growth journey from a "bottleneck to breakthrough", "revenue deficit to revenue surplus", and "disruption to celebration", thereby becoming the 'growth engine' of India's development.
"Today, we are all celebrating Uttar Pradesh Diwas with pride," CM Adityanath had written in a news article.
Two days before the adoption of the Indian Constitution, on January 24, 1950, the erstwhile British province, the United Provinces, was renamed Uttar Pradesh.
This vibrant state, cradled by sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saryu, has been blessed with rich historical, cultural, and modern dynamism.
Apart from nature, UP has also been a land of pilgrimage for millions with civilisational cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Prayagraj, and Sarnath.
On the banks of the Ganga River, Varanasi is considered one of the holiest cities, home to temples, ashrams, and ghats. The city includes Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most sacred temples in India; the Dasaswamedh Ghat, the busiest ghat in Varanasi; and Sarnath, a former Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Lucknow, the celebrations feel special this year. The city is beautifully decorated. It's good to see our leaders acknowledging UP's journey from BIMARU state. The cultural heritage of our state, from Varanasi to Ayodhya, is unmatched.
While the progress in infrastructure is visible, I hope the focus also remains on generating quality employment for the youth. The "growth engine" must power inclusive development for all sections, not just headline GDP numbers.
Visiting UP last year was an incredible experience. The history in places like Varanasi and the energy in Lucknow are unforgettable. Happy Foundation Day to the people of this vibrant state!
UP is the heart of India. When it progresses, the nation progresses. The shift from revenue deficit to surplus under this government is a solid economic achievement. Here's to more development! 🙏
The article rightly highlights our sacred rivers and pilgrimage sites. Our culture is our strength. On this day, let's also pledge to keep the Ganga and Yamuna clean. Development and environmental care must go hand in hand.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.