Gorakhpur, 12 Nov (HS): Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, spent Diwali with forest inhabitants here on Sunday, repeating a tradition he began around 15 years ago. On this occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated or lay foundation stones for 52 development projects totaling Rs 153 crore for various gram panchayats in Gorakhpur district, according to a state government release.
Adityanath also paid a visit to the Hanumangarhi temple and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on Sunday and offered prayers. “Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the great festival of Diwali, which celebrates the triumph of truth over lie, virtue over tyranny, and light over darkness. With Lord Shri Ram’s and Mata Janaki’s blessings, may this sacred festival light your life… Jai Shri Ram!” he scribbled on X.
Adityanath visited with members of the Vantangiya community at Tikonia No. 3 hamlet in Kushmi forest in Gorakhpur and discussed their fight to acquire their rights. Diwali and ‘Ram Rajya’ are all about “providing all government facilities and civil rights to the underprivileged,” he explained.
During colonial administration, the Vantangiyas were transported from Myanmar to plant trees for afforestation. Adityanath told members of the community that he was pleased to see that the poor were living in ‘pucca’ dwellings and had access to potable water, electricity, decent schools, and anganwadi centers.”There must be a desire to work, and our efforts must be directed toward social upliftment. Efforts to embrace and bring along the poor, needy, and disadvantaged reap fruit,” he remarked.
During his visit, he also discussed Ram Mandir, which is set to open next January following a lengthy legal fight. “It is going to give sense of pride not only to whole of India, but also to all the followers of Sanatan Dharma in world,” he went on to say.
Adityanath advised people to light five lights in their homes as a memorial to the 500-year wait for the construction of the temple, which was allegedly felled by Mughal Emperor Babar. He said that Gorakhpur, his seat, has been continually and purposefully ignored in terms of development since independence. However, road, rail, and aviation connection in Gorakhpur is great now, and it will be connected with waterways in a few years, he added.
Adityanath stated that the Vantangiyas, who formerly lived in terror of eviction, bogus FIRs, and arrest by the forest department, are now aware of their rights.
“Their terror was extinguished by the ‘double-engine’ government.” They have legal standing. Instead of being afraid, a Vantangiya now talks about his rights. Vantangiya folks now have a permanent housing, a toilet, an LPG connection, an electricity connection, and an Ayushman card,” he explained.
Other underserved tribes, such as Musahar, Tharu, Cheru, Buxa, Kol, and many others, are also receiving basic necessities like as homes, power, kitchens, and health care. During his tour of the village, Adityanath lighted a lamp at the home of Ram Ganesh, the chief of the Vantangiya community.
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