Lucknow, 2 Oct (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary on Friday. The Chief Minister offered flowers at Gandhi's statue located at the General Post Office (GPO).On the occasion, schoolchildren presented bhajans and songs, including Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Woh Shakti Humein Do Dayanidhe and Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye. The Chief Minister listened to the musical presentations.Speaking on the occasion, Adityanath said that New India is fully committed to realising the dream envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

Chief Minister extends greetings on 'International Day of

Non-Violence': On the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma

Gandhi, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the people of the state

on the occasion of 'International Non-Violence Day.' He said, My

heartfelt tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his sacred

birth anniversary, who followed the path of truth and non-violence and gave the

message of independence to the entire world through Swadeshi and

non-violence.

The Chief Minister said that Bapu's ideals, simplicity and

thoughts are still providing continuous guidance to all of us in building a

self-reliant and developed India.

In his address, Chief Minister Yogi said that Mahatma Gandhi

led the movement in a democratic and peaceful manner and transformed it into a

mass movement. His mantras regarding transforming the movement into a mass

movement are still relevant today.

Bapu's words at that time, urging every citizen to embrace

Swadeshi, cleanliness, and self-reliance as their life's mantra, still serve as

a mantra today. In a country rife with despair and hopelessness, under Bapu's

guidance, Indian society emerged from that despair and enthusiastically joined

the movement.

It wasn't confined to a few cities, but reached every

village. Every man, woman, and child became a part of this campaign. The pledge

Bapu had made at the time of independence, Prime Minister Modi has now

implemented the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, revered Bapu's dream, in independent

India. This clean India became the foundation of a healthy India. It also

taught the lesson of women's dignity.

Chief Minister Yogi said that as children, we used to look

at the clothes from the Gandhi Ashram with great curiosity. This spinning wheel

is not just a spinning wheel, but the foundation of India's self-reliance. Bapu

envisioned Gram Swaraj, with tall claims. What was the truth? We left the

villages neglected.

Today, fulfilling Bapu's dream, villages will also become

the foundation of self-reliance. To this end, the government has established

Gram Sachivalayas in every village. Through Gram Sachivalayas, four to seven

people are now receiving employment opportunities within the village itself.

Yogi said that a society that respects and expresses gratitude to its

ancestors, inspiring future generations to move forward, will surely have a

bright future. Today, New India is fully committed to realizing that dream.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister

Rakesh Sachan, Rajya Sabha MP Brajlal, Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Legislative

Council members Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mukesh Sharma, Lalji Prasad Nirmal,

Ramchandra Pradhan, Pawan Singh Chauhan, Dr. Neeraj Bora, Rajeshwar Singh, Jai

Devi, Amresh Kumar, State Women Commission Vice President Aparna Yadav, BJP

Metropolitan President Anand Dwivedi etc. were present in the Pushpanjali

programme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi