Lucknow, 30 Aug (HS): Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday presented a

gift of over Rs. 100 crore to his parliamentary constituency, Lucknow. Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Rajnath Singh, laid the foundation stone

for the projects. At a ceremony held at Dilkusha Ground, Defense Minister

Rajnath Singh said, Today, the foundation stone of several projects has

been laid simultaneously on the historic land of Lucknow. I see Lucknow's pace

and progress as linked to the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. If a local representative

said, 'Chief Minister, this work should be done,' he has worked wholeheartedly.

When the central and state governments think in the same direction, the pace of

development increases manifold.

He said that these 12 projects are a resolution. Today, India is moving

forward with the resolve to develop India. Ten to twelve years ago, India's

views were not taken seriously on international forums, but today the world

listens with open ears. The journey towards a developed India should begin in major

cities and reach every neighborhood. Times change, cities change, and needs

change, so rules keep changing.

Lucknow is also the centre of modern missile BrahMos: Yogi Adityanath - Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath said that in the last nine years, under the guidance

of the Prime Minister, Uttar Pradesh has embarked on a new journey of security

and good governance. Twenty years ago, there was a sign at the railway station

in Lucknow, the state's capital, that read, Smile, you are in

Lucknow. Seeing the narrow lanes, traffic jams, and filth, one felt like

crying. Today, Lucknow has both narrow lanes and an outer ring road. Lucknow

has also become the hub of modern missiles like Brahmos.

He said that UNESCO has recognized Lucknow's cuisine. Atal ji's dreams are

being realized under the guidance of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. We will

succeed in completely cleaning the Gomti River by the end of this year. The

facilities that Lucknow needed in the changing global environment are now being

continuously provided. In the last nine years, we have tried to give a new

direction to Uttar Pradesh. Since 2017, Uttar Pradesh was facing an identity

crisis. Earlier, there was anarchy, unrest, and scarcity. Today, Uttar Pradesh

has become the engine of the economy's growth rate.

UP has 60 percent expressway network: Uttar Pradesh has 60 percent of the

country's expressway network, the largest rail network, and the metro. The

country's first rapid rail and waterway were launched in Uttar Pradesh. We have

17 domestic and five international airports. The nation's first military

schools began in Uttar Pradesh. Today, several military schools in Uttar

Pradesh are preparing future officers. Now, the Cantonment Board will face no

shortage of funds. Lucknow's Cantonment Board will become a model, achieving

the goal of ease of living.

The Defense Minister announced that the English names of major markets in

the cantonment area would be changed to those of freedom fighters and prominent

figures. Rajnath Singh said that renaming the markets is not a mere formality,

but rather aims to inspire future generations with the lives of the country's

great freedom fighters and luminaries. He pointed out that several markets in

the cantonment area have been named after such eminent personalities as

Veerangana Uda Devi, Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, and former Prime Minister Atal

Bihari Vajpayee.

The Defense Minister stated that the 14 projects being launched in the

cantonment are not just development projects, but also include children's

education, youth employment, clean drinking water, women's empowerment, and the

spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He said that residents of the

cantonment area are now being granted permission to make necessary changes and

constructions to their homes.

He attributed Lucknow's rapid development to the support and guidance of

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Rajnath Singh also mentioned projects related

to improved water supply, education, sports, and flood control in the city. He

said that the rule of law is now established in Uttar Pradesh and India's

stature is steadily rising on international platforms.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that before 2017, there was no rule of

law in Uttar Pradesh. The state was plagued by chaos, deprivation, and anarchy,

but now the state has overcome these circumstances and is rapidly progressing

towards development.

The Chief Minister credited Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for the

start of the second phase of the Lucknow Metro and the development of five

defense corridors in Uttar Pradesh. He said that coordination between the

central and state governments has accelerated the pace of development in

Lucknow and across Uttar Pradesh.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Minister of State (Independent

Charge) Asim Arun were special guests at the event. Former Deputy Chief

Minister Dinesh Sharma, Director General of the Indian Defence Estates Service

Shobha Gupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command

Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, and Principal Director of Defence Estates

Central Command Bhavana Singh, along with several public representatives and

officials, were also present.

People coming from outside see the development of Lucknow: Brajesh Pathak - Deputy

Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that Rajnath Singh is fulfilling Atal ji's

dream of beautifying Lucknow. People coming from outside can see Lucknow's

development.

While laying the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 100.92

crore in the cantonment, Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun said that the first

responsibility of the state government is to protect its citizens. When the

enemy's bullets are fired and our Chief orders to respond with shells, internal

security becomes stronger. The experiment of preparing for selection in the

Armed Forces has been successful in Baghpat, 65 percent of the children have

been selected. We will start this in Lucknow also.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi