Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, stated that when leadership is good, everyone’s respect increases, adding that in the last 10 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India has emerged as a global power.

“The country is witnessing the expansion of highways, railways and air connectivity. All India Institute of Medical Sciences is being established and industries are flourishing. Employment is being generated on a large-scale. Every eligible person is benefiting from welfare schemes without any discrimination,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made these remarks while addressing programmes organised under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Raptinagar and Nanda Nagar of Gorakhpur. He also interacted with beneficiaries of various schemes.

He further said, “The government’s schemes are not based on caste, religion or region and are meant for villages, the poor, farmers, women and youth. Free housing facilities have been provided to four crore people in the country and 55 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh. In the state, 15 crore people have been receiving free ration for the last three and a half years, and this will continue for the next five years. A large number of people are benefiting from Ayushman Yojana and are receiving free medical treatment.”

Chief Minister Yogi said what never happened before was happening now. “Presently, employment is being generated, development is taking place, women are getting security and farmers are receiving respect,” he remarked.

The large crowds gathered show that the benefits of the schemes have reached the common people on a large scale, he pointed out.

The minister also appealed to those who, for any reason, have not been able to avail the benefits of the schemes to come forward and get registered for relevant schemes.

While mentioning the developmental activities, the chief minister stated that the changing face of Gorakhpur reflects the new Uttar Pradesh. “Here, the fertiliser factory has started, AIIMS is operational, and BRD Medical College has become a centre of medical excellence. The place that used to be a stronghold of crime, Ramgarh Taal, is now shining on the tourism map. Encephalitis that used to cost the lives of thousands of children has been brought under control,” he asserted.

The chief minister extended his wishes for Makar Sankranti and consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22 to all the people in advance.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Yogi exhorted people to conduct a cleanliness campaign for the consecration ceremony and make religious sites clean and beautiful.

Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan also addressed the programme on this occasion.

In the two Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programmes, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also interacted with beneficiaries of various schemes, including PM Awas Yojana, PM SVANidhi Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, BC Sakhi, Ujjwala, and Ayushman Yojana. Everyone expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi, sharing their experiences.

The chief minister mentioned that providing benefits of schemes without discrimination is a guarantee from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also urged the beneficiaries to raise awareness among others and help them avail the benefits of these schemes.

During the programme, the chief minister distributed certificates, blankets and sweets to the beneficiaries of various schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Yojana, PM SVANidhi Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, etc. At the outset of the programmes, everyone took the oath of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

Prior to the programme, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected various stalls set up by different departments at the programme venue and observed the annaprashan of infants and baby shower of pregnant women. He also distributed blankets at various stalls.

The annaprashan of a Muslim woman’s child by Chief Minister Yogi became a centre of attraction for everyone. The woman was extremely delighted to see her child playing in the hands of the chief minister. After the annaprashan, he presented a gift to the child.

Mayor Dr Manglesh Srivastav, MLA Vipin Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Pradeep Shukla, BJP state vice-president Dr Dharmendra Singh and metropolitan president Rajesh Gupta were present at the event.