Gonda (UP), Mar 20 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that if young people get the right opportunities to use their energy in the right direction, nothing can stop them from moving forward and UP will become self-reliant through the power of youth.
After distributing loans worth Rs 55 crore to 1,423 young entrepreneurs of the Devipatan division under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (M-YUVA), the CM said, "The double-engine government is supporting young entrepreneurs in becoming financially self-reliant. A nation's strength is measured by its young talent, energy, and discipline. When youth get opportunities, no force can harm that country."
During the event, he also distributed tool kits to artisans under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. He visited the startup exhibition organised by young entrepreneurs.
Yogi said that over 3 lakh young people have registered under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Abhiyan and more than 32,700 have already received loan approvals. He said that during the three-day fairs scheduled for March 25, 26, and 27 in every district, more youth will be connected to the scheme.
He advised them to undergo training on managing loans to become successful entrepreneurs. "The scheme provides an initial loan of up to Rs 5 lakh, with an increased limit of Rs 10 lakh for the next phase," he said.
The CM emphasised that youth who once struggled for jobs are now becoming entrepreneurs, contributing to the progress of their districts and the entire state. Congratulating 1,423 beneficiaries, he assured that more young people would benefit from the upcoming fair.
He said, "With the self-reliance of our youth, UP and the nation can reach new heights."
Encouraging the youth to move forward with patience and determination, Yogi said that they play a crucial role in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India during the Amrit Mahotsav year. He called upon the youth to move forward with patience and determination, so they can make UP the growth engine of the country.
Taking a firm stance against corruption, he said that the government is strictly following a zero-tolerance policy. He warned the youth to stay alert and report anyone demanding money for loan approvals.
He cautioned that strict action will be taken against those involved in corruption, setting an example to ensure they never find a place in government service. He said that corruption weakens the system like a termite and eliminating it requires collective efforts from both society and the government for the betterment of future generations.
On women's empowerment, the CM highlighted the government's initiatives to increase female representation in the police force. He highlighted that before 2017, UP had only 10,000 women police personnel, but in the recent recruitment of 60,244 personnel, 12,000 were women.
He said that going forward, at least 20 percent of positions in every recruitment will be reserved for women. "So far, more than 25,000 women have been recruited out of 1.56 lakh new jobs, and 7.5 lakh government employees have already been appointed. Our daughters are excelling in every field, and the government is ensuring all possible opportunities for them," he said.
Praising UP's economic growth, Yogi expressed pride that the state, once labeled as 'BIMARU', has now become India's second-largest economy. He assured that efforts are underway to make it the top economy in the country.
He said, "UP leads in food grain, sugarcane, and ethanol production and has the highest number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), each covered with Rs 5 lakh security insurance."
He highlighted initiatives like One District, One Product (ODOP) and the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, which have uplifted artisans and craftsmen. "A nation that respects its youth and farmers reaches the peak of prosperity," he said.
The CM said that the recently held Maha Kumbh showcased India's strength to the world. "The grand cultural and spiritual event, held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, brought humanity together in an extraordinary way," he said.
He emphasised that under PM Modi's leadership, the Maha Kumbh laid the foundation for 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. "The event proved that respecting faith can become a source of livelihood and safeguarding culture leads to prosperity," he said.
He said that the Maha Kumbh paved the way for new faith and livelihood corridors in UP, connecting Prayagraj to Vindhyavasini Dham, Kashi, Ayodhya, Devipatan, Gorakhpur, Chitrakoot, Naimisharanya, Mathura, and Vrindavan. "These routes boosted economic growth and created new self-employment opportunities for the youth," he said.
Yogi pointed out the contrast between UP and other states. "While some tried to tarnish the Maha Kumbh, their states faced violence, whereas in UP, Holi and all other celebrations remained peaceful," he said.
Speaking about Gonda's transformation, he highlighted that travel time from Gonda to Lucknow, which earlier took 3.5 hours, has now been reduced to just 1.75 hours. "Similarly, the journey from Gonda to Devipatan Temple, which used to take 2 to 3.5 hours, now takes only 45 minutes," he said.
He praised Gonda's progress in cleanliness and said that the city, once counted among the dirtiest in 2016-17, is now making great strides in sanitation.
Appreciating local representatives, he said, "Gonda is now becoming a beautiful city. Under the state's tourism policy, the government plans to enhance at least one location in every assembly constituency to boost tourism."
UNI AB BD