Lucknow, 19 Oct (HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed a strong message on

Mahanavami, honoring the

festival of Sharadiya Navratri. During prayers to Maa Siddhidatri, the ultimate

manifestation of Navdurga who grants all achievements and wishes, the Chief Minister emphasized that women

(Nari Shakti) are propelling the state's development through their inherent strength, determination, and self-assurance. He emphasized this feeling by referencing the old saying,

Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah (where women are revered, the divine dwells). Throughout the festival, the UP government highlighted various significant

accomplishments and policy measures

related to women's empowerment, safety,

and socioeconomic development.

In his Navratri messages, the Chief Minister highlighted that the state's strict stance against

crime and mafia operations has created

a safe atmosphere, enabling women to pursue work and education without fear. During the pursuit

of Maa Siddhidatri’s blessings in Navratri, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that the state’s Gross State

Domestic Product (GSDP), per-capita income, budget, and participation of

women in the labor force have all

increased threefold in the last nine and a

half years.

In his speech and related social

media post, the Chief Minister connected this economic change directly to the advancement and empowerment of women throughout

the state.

He emphasized that women's participation in the labor

force in Uttar Pradesh has markedly

increased from 12% to more than 36%, reflecting

their crucial and expanding role

in propelling the state's economic advancement. Alongside these metrics, he mentioned investment plans exceeding Rs. 50 lakh crore, the growth of major

factories from 14,000 to 35,000, and the generation

of jobs for more than 6.5 million

young people in addition to 950,000 government positions.

The quantity of startups in the state

has grown significantly from 120

to over 24,000, with recent information suggesting that a considerable

share of these new enterprises

is led by women.

In a post on X, he mentioned, “Blessed by Maa Siddhidatri,

who fulfills all accomplishments, prosperity, and cherished desires, the women

of Uttar Pradesh are playing a decisive role in the state's progress and

prosperity through the strength of their capability, resolve, and

self-confidence. Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah. Meaning, where

women are revered, there resides happiness, prosperity, and well-being. However,

before 2017, the riot-torn atmosphere in the state had cast a shadow over

development. Anarchy was at its peak. Goons, mafias, and troublemakers were

running a parallel government to the administration. The state was burning in

the flames of riots. Disturbances would erupt even before festivals and

holidays. Parents were forced to send their daughters to other states for a

secure future.”

“After 2017, under the guidance of the honorable Prime

Minister Shri @narendramodi

ji, the state's

double-engine government has established a zero-tolerance policy towards crime

and criminals, along with the rule of law, transforming the state from one

plagued by disturbances into a state of celebrations. Over the past nine and a

half years, the efforts of the state's double-engine government towards women's

safety, respect, and self-reliance have played a crucial role in freeing the

state from the image of a backward region and positioning it as the growth

engine of the country's economy,” he added.

“In the past nine and a half years, the state's GSDP,

per-capita income, budget, and female labor force participation have tripled.

The state has consistently maintained a revenue surplus. The state has received

investment proposals exceeding Rs. 50 lakh crore. The number of large factories

has more than doubled, rising from 14,000 to 35,000. Through investments, over

65 lakh youth have gained employment. Uttar Pradesh is playing a vital role in

making India self-reliant in defense production through the Defense Industrial

Corridor,” UP CM opined.

“Today, 60% of the country's total expressway network is in

Uttar Pradesh. The state's agricultural growth rate has risen from 8% to 18%.

Through a fair and transparent recruitment process, 9.5 lakh government jobs

have been provided to the youth. The number of startups has surged from 120 to

over 24,000. By reviving the dormant MSME sector, more than 3 crore employment

opportunities have been created. With the firm resolve of Empowered

Women, Prosperous Uttar Pradesh, the state's double-engine government is

steadfastly moving forward to realize the vision of Developed India-Developed

Uttar Pradesh, stated UP CM prior to signing off.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi