“New UP Is Defined by Development and Heritage”: CM Yogi

• Yogi highlights Kashi’s 12-year transformation.
• UP’s 10-year change linked to development and security.
• Vadnagar-Kashi yatra concludes in Varanasi.
• CM urges youth to help build Viksit Bharat.

GG News Bureau
Varanasi, 8th Oct: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the transformation of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh over the past decade reflects a wider change in the state’s development, security and cultural identity.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra from Gujarat’s Vadnagar to Kashi in Varanasi, Yogi said the journey symbolised the connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthplace and his political karmabhoomi. The event was attended by BJP National President Nitin Nabin and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Welcoming the bikers and guests who travelled from Vadnagar, Yogi said Uttar Pradesh had witnessed a major transformation over the past 10 years and Kashi had changed significantly over the last 12 years.

Referring to the political and law-and-order situation under previous governments, Yogi alleged that 10 years ago criminals and mafias exercised considerable influence in Uttar Pradesh, while women, traders and ordinary citizens faced insecurity.

He said the situation had changed under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and claimed that organised criminal elements had been brought under control.

Yogi contrasted what he described as the earlier image of Uttar Pradesh with the state’s present emphasis on development and heritage. He cited the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Maa Vindhyavasini Corridor, Maha Kumbh and the renewed activity in Mathura-Vrindavan as symbols of what he called the new Uttar Pradesh.

Recalling Modi’s Gujarat journey
Yogi recalled October 7, 2001, when Narendra Modi took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister.

He said Gujarat was then recovering from the devastating Bhuj earthquake and facing major challenges. According to Yogi, Modi’s leadership helped the state rebuild and emerge as a model of development.

Yogi said the experience of Gujarat was now reflected in the broader transformation of India, which he described as more secure, prosperous and prominent on the global stage.

He congratulated Modi on completing 25 years in public life and said the milestone was being observed across the country as an occasion to recognise his long public career.

Vadnagar-Kashi journey as ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’
Yogi said the Seva Sankalp Yatra represented the idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” by connecting Vadnagar, Modi’s birthplace, with Kashi, his parliamentary constituency and political karmabhoomi.

The bikers travelled through several states while carrying water from Gujarat’s rivers to Kashi, where it was offered at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The journey was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp campaign marking Modi’s 25 years in public service.

Yogi said the journey demonstrated the spirit of national unity and service while connecting people and cultural traditions across states.

He also said the vision of a developed and self-reliant India would become a reality only when every district, town, village and state works towards becoming developed and self-reliant.

Youth urged to contribute to Viksit Bharat
Yogi said the energy of young people would be crucial to achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

He highlighted the Seva Sankalp campaign being conducted from September 17 to October 17 and urged young people to carry forward the message of service and prepare themselves for the programmes ahead.

The event also featured a short film on the Seva Sankalp campaign. Yogi interacted with students and posed for photographs with them in front of a rangoli depicting the campaign.

Senior leaders and public representatives present at the ceremony included Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, BJYM National President Hemang Joshi, Union Minister of State for Finance and UP BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and several state ministers, MPs and MLAs.