‘Ram temple in ayodhya represents further affirmation of India’s cultural pride’ :UP Guv

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Friday said that 2024 has etched an indelible mark in the history of India as after a wait spanning almost five centuries the soul of Sanatan Indian culture, our ideal Prabhu Shri Ramlalla, was enshrined in his new, grand and divine temple in his birth place, Ayodhya on January 22.

Addressing the joint session of both the houses of the Legislature on the first day of the budget session, the Governor said, “The establishment of the ‘Rashtra Mandir’, in the form of the magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, stands as a profound realisation of the unwavering resolve and deep-seated faith of the Indian people. It represents further affirmation of India’s cultural pride.”

She completed her around 57 minute long address during continuous sloganeering by the members of main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP). The SP members raised slogans of the ‘Governor go back’ and against the state government.

During her address, Anandiben said that it represents a momentous re-establishment of India’s cultural pride. “We all have entered into the ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal.’ In this extraordinary period, the divine representation of our cultural heritage will serve as a perennial source of inspiration for us and future generations to embrace and uphold the noble ideals of Lord Shri Ram,” she said.

Patel said, “Our government has successfully implemented significant infrastructure development projects in Ayodhya, ensuring that devotees from across the nation and the world can have hassle-free darshan of the revered Shri Ramlalla at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and can offer their prayers.”

The Governor said that Ayodhya is now endowed with superb connectivity through water, land and air. “Ongoing development initiatives, valued at approximately Rs 31,000 crore, are currently in progress. Presently, Ayodhya, with its Treta Yug glory, is establishing new benchmarks as an exemplar of urban development and prosperity,” she said.

Patel said, “The enshrinement of Lord Ram Lalla in the new temple is poised to strengthen the concept of ‘Ram Rajya’.

She highlighted the tradition of organising ‘Uttar Pradesh Diwas’ by the state government since 2018 and expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to the interests of farmers and elaborated on the recent increase in sugarcane prices.

Shifting focus to the UP Global Investors Summit held in February 2023, the Governor highlighted that investment proposals exceeding Rs 40 lakh crore had been received from both domestic and international investors.

Anandiben said, “These proposals, spanning various sectors and encompassing all 75 districts of the state, hold the potential to generate employment opportunities for approximately 1.10 crore people. To translate these proposals into reality, a ground breaking ceremony will be conducted, fostering extensive employment opportunities.”

Regarding Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, Patel said that the government is diligently making arrangements to ensure the safety, service, and convenience of saints, bathers, devotees, Kalpavasis, tourists, researchers, and curious individuals from across the globe. She expressed confidence that Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025 will create a new record at the global level.

The Governor said, “Embracing the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,’ the government is dedicated to uplifting all sections of society, particularly the poor, farmers, women, and the youth, without any discrimination. To address public grievances, ‘Sampoorna Samadhan Diwas’ is being organised regularly at the Tehsil level, and ‘Thana Diwas’ at the police station level.”

She said that swift and effective resolution of public issues and complaints is facilitated through platforms such as the ‘Chief Minister Helpline 1076,’ IGRS, and others. “In order to implement the resolution of service, good governance, and poor welfare effectively, the CM Command Center and ‘CM Dashboard’ have been set up.”

Patel said, “With the resolve of good governance, my government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals, aiming to foster peace in the state and ensure the safety of every citizen.”
Anandiben said that according to the NCRB report, UP holds the distinguished position of being the number one state in the country for effectively punishing criminals involved in crimes against women.

She said, “To make Uttar Pradesh a trillion dollar economy, significant measures have been undertaken by the state government across all facets of the economy, encompassing financial and social infrastructure.”
The Governor said that as a result of robust law and order, ease of doing business, investment-friendly policies and a commitment to good governance, UP has emerged as a ‘dream destination’ for investment in the country.

“The state has established itself as a revenue surplus state due to better fiscal management,” she said.
Patel said that the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has proven instrumental in extending the direct benefits of government schemes to every needy and deprived person. “Through efficient and effective policies, approximately 6 crore people in UP have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty,” she said.

Anandiben said that with the inauguration of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, at present, four international airports have become functional in the state.”South Asia’s largest international airport is going to get operation in Jewar, Noida soon. With this, UP will become the only state in India to have five international airports,” she said.

The Governor said said that over the past seven years, there has been a tenfold increase in solar energy-based power projects in the state. “In 2017, the total capacity of solar energy projects installed in the state was 288 MW, which has now surged to 2596 MW.

The capacity of solar rooftop plants has witnessed a growth of more than 4.5 times in the last seven years. The state government is actively working towards transforming Ayodhya and Varanasi into model solar cities,” she said.

Patel said that the ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ has been extensively implemented by the current state government, resulting in an increase of enrolment by approximately over 40 lakhs children in six years. “Under Operation Kayakalp, more than 93 percent of the 1,32,594 council schools in the state have been equipped with 19 basic infrastructure facilities,” Anandiben added.