Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh prepared to scale new heights of development: Yogi

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] August 4 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that Azamgarh which is known for radicalisation previously, is prepared to scale new heights of development with the presence of rule of law, and through a slew of developmental projects taking shape under the Bharatiya Janata Party's rule.
Dedicating various developmental projects worth more than Rs 145 crores in Azamgarh once considered a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party, Yogi Adityanath said, "Azamgarh's potential was blemished in presence of negative, divisive forces. The youth here used to face an identity crisis, remained unemployed and used to lag behind others, however, today, Azamgarh's faith in BJP will take it to new heights of development and prosperity."
He added that before five years, whenever the youth belonging to Azamgarh went out to different states looking for employment, he had to conceal his identity to get shelter. "Azamgarh ka Naujavan apni pehchan chhupane par majboor hota tha, uske saamne pehchan ka sankat khada hota tha," CM Yogi said.
Stating that he has himself visited Azamgarh thrice during the Covid-19 pandemic, Yogi said, "Those who were responsible for Azamgarh's predicament never paid any heed to visit the region, or work for the development here, however, we continued to work for Azamgarh's development even if our MLAs or MPs were not chosen."
PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Purvanchal Expressway in 2018 at Azamgarh to boost the development of the region and connect it to places like Delhi and Lucknow. Besides, Azamgarh's decades-long dream of having a university was also fulfilled by the double-engine governments of the BJP, asserted Yogi.
The University in the name of Suheldev is also developing on a war footing and sufficient funds have been allocated to ensure its uninterrupted progress, informed the CM.
The Chief Minister, on the occasion, also announced to revive the rich cultural, musical and literary legacy of Azamgarh. "Azamgarh is a pioneer in the field of literature, we are also working to develop an institute in the name of prominent litterateur and Hindi writer Rangeya Raghav here," he said.
Emphasising that his government is committed to providing employment to the youth according to their capabilities, the CM further issued immediate instructions to organise a massive Rojgar Mela in Azamgarh to provide job opportunities to the youth there.
Highlighting his government's achievements, the Chief Minister said that in the last five years, 5 lakh youths have been given government jobs in the state, while about 1.61 crore youths were given job opportunities through various MSME units, and industrial sectors, among others. Similarly, about 60 lakh craftsmen and artisans were also connected with banks in a way to ensure their self-employment.
He further asked the concerned authorities to further promote Azamgarh's ODOP -- black pottery-- efficiently and ensure that free-of-cost raw materials are provided for the same to the artisans and more and more people get employment through it. "Better marketing of these products should be done and through common service centres, the people engaged in manufacturing of black pottery should be linked with technology," he said.
Furthermore, Yogi said that as the "country is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' to mark 75 years of Indian independence, I request everyone to join hands and pledge to make the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' successful as per PM Modi's vision. All our schools and colleges must ensure that they make our children aware of the sacrifices of all our freedom fighters and especially of the freedom fighters belonging to their respective regions."
Reaffirming his commitment to ensuring self-reliance and empowerment of the youth, the Chief Minister said that the government is also providing tablets and smartphones to the youth to bridge the digital divide and ensure their growth.