Lucknow, 16 Oct (HS): Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Chief

Minister, underlined massive transformation in sports and women's empowerment on

the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri, which is dedicated to Maa Katyayani. UP CM

emphasizing how daughters and athletes from Uttar Pradesh are now consistently

winning accolades globally. Invoking Maa Katyayani as the ultimate symbol of

female fortitude, determination, and unwavering spirit, the Chief Minister

emphasized how governance changes implemented since 2017 have altered the

state's social and athletic fabric. He stated that security has replaced fear,

encouragement has replaced neglect, and the growth of sports facilities has

replaced a lack of funds.

Eradicating Fear and Rise of Security: Prior to 2017, the

state was highly criticized for women's safety, with young women's goals being

curtailed. UP has aggressively sought to create a safe and fearless atmosphere

through targeted initiatives such as the multi-phase Mission Shakti and public

monitoring schemes.

Encouragement over Neglect: established the proactive Padak Lao, Pad

Pao (Bring Medals, Get Posts) program. The idea skips usual bureaucratic

delays by offering medal-winning athletes immediate government job assignments

as well as hefty financial rewards.

Overcoming Scarcity with Sports Infrastructure: To recapture sports fields from

unlawful control and past underfunding, the government has implemented a

tiered, multi-level infrastructure expansion. This structure includes

village-level playgrounds, block-level mini-stadiums, divisional sports

colleges, and mega-projects such as Major Dhyan Chand State Sports University,

which provide a fundamental platform for students to hone their abilities.

In a post on X, he mentioned, “Mother Katyayani, the

destroyer of all obstacles and demonic tendencies, is a symbol of the

indomitable courage, unwavering resolve, and invincible valor of feminine

power. Before 2017, the state was gripped by an atmosphere of fear and anarchy,

where daughters' dreams were under surveillance, their aspirations were

shackled, and their talents were forced to wither in the absence of

opportunities. Sports fields were under the mafia's control, resources were

nonexistent, and instead of giving wings to daughters' flights, their dreams

were imprisoned within four walls.”

“Over the past nine and a half years, a new saga of change

has been written in the state. Security has replaced fear, encouragement has

replaced neglect, and the expansion of sports facilities has replaced the

scarcity of resources. From village sports fields and block-level mini stadiums

to district-level stadiums, division-level sports colleges, and the Major Dhyan

Chand Sports University in Meerut, daughters are receiving a strong foundation

to hone their talents. Medal winners from the Olympics, Commonwealth, and Asian

Games are being awarded prizes worth lakhs and crores, and facilities like

direct recruitment under Bring Medals, Get Positions are providing

encouragement to athletes' talents, honor to their achievements, and security

to their futures,” he added.

“The echo of this transformation is resounding on

international sports platforms as well. In athletics, Parul Chaudhary, Priyanka

Goswami, Prachi Chaudhary, and Annu Rani; in judo, Asmita Dey; in cricket,

Deepti Sharma and Meghna Singh; in hockey, Vandana Katariya; and in wrestling,

Divya Kakran have enhanced the pride of the country and the state at the international

level with their stellar performances in the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Jai Maa Katyayani,” he remarked.

“O radiant one with the sword of Chandrahas, bearer of the

valiant lion, O Katyayani, grant

auspiciousness, O Goddess, slayer of

demons. On the sixth day of Shardiya

Navratri, countless salutations at the feet of Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of

Adi Shakti Maa Jagadamba. May we pray to

Maa Katyayani, bearer of the message to protect righteousness, that by her

grace, all devotees may attain the courage and strength to fulfill their

resolves.

Jai Maa Katyayani,” UP CM remarked prior to signing off.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi