Every diya of Ayodhya’s Deepotsav brings livelihood opportunities for potters, farmers, families: UP CM Yogi

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Lucknow, Nov 2 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on Monday highlighted the economic significance of the grand Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, saying that every earthen lamp lit during the festival illuminates the hard work of potters, the produce of farmers and the livelihoods of local families.

Ahead of his arrival in the city of Lord Ram, the Chief Minister shared a post on social media platform X, stating that the grand Deepotsav in Ayodhya Dham was giving fresh momentum to the economy along with strengthening faith.

“The grand Deepotsav of Shri Ayodhya Dham is giving fresh momentum to the economy along with faith. Every diya lit here is bringing new light to the hard work of a potter, the produce of a farmer and the livelihood of a family,” he wrote.

The Chief Minister further said that such radiance was missing earlier, alleging that there had been no initiative to connect Ayodhya’s immense cultural potential with the prosperity of local artisans, farmers and small traders.

“There was a complete lack of vision to transform the strength of faith into new livelihood opportunities. The double-engine government has dispelled this darkness,” he said.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the grand festival, illuminated by lakhs of diyas, was now creating new opportunities for employment and business for potters, labourers and small traders, CM Yogi added.

“The very diya that illuminates Ram Nagari also kindles hopes of prosperity in the home of a hardworking family. Such is the spirit of our Deepotsav,” CM Yogi wrote.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, the Chief Minister said that he would visit Ayodhya on November 7 and that the 10th edition of Deepotsav would be organised in Ayodhya Dham this year.

“Although the Deepotsav celebrations will take place in Ayodhya, their light will reach Gonda in the form of development. Today, we can see this development in Gonda,” he said.

Recalling the condition of the region around a decade ago, Yogi Adityanath said that travelling from Gonda railway station to Devi Patan to visit the Maa Pateshwari Shaktipeeth used to take him around two-and-a-half to three hours.

“The roads here were full of potholes. There was an atmosphere of insecurity, development had come to a standstill, young people were unemployed and farmers were distressed. The safety of women and traders was at risk,” he said.

The Chief Minister further claimed that Gonda, Balrampur and Shravasti were earlier counted among the most backward and dirtiest districts in the country.

He highlighted the development initiatives undertaken in the region, linking the transformation of these districts with the broader development vision of the state government.

–IANS

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Upon receiving the information, police and local administration officials arrived at the scene, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

The deceased have been identified as the ambulance driver Jaspal, Rajan Singh (son of Bhupati), Gaurav Singh (son of Satyabhan), and Ram Samajh (son of Jaysingh).

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The collision triggered panic in the area, following which local villagers rushed to the spot to assist the passengers and alerted the police.

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Karpoori Thakur’s death anniv: Patna municipal corporation removes banners ahead of RJD event

Patna, Feb 17 (IANS) Political activity has intensified in the state capital, Patna, ahead of a major program of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to observe the death anniversary of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur. Separate teams of the Patna Municipal Corporation on Tuesday began removing RJD flags and banners installed at the Income Tax roundabout and other places in Patna, triggering outrage among party workers.

The action was taken just ahead of the RJD event, during which the party has called leaders and workers from all districts of Bihar to Patna.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav has appealed to party workers to participate in the program in large numbers.

The RJD is observing the death anniversary of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur at the Bapu Auditorium and a massive gathering of party leaders and workers is expected at the venue.

In preparation for the event, posters, hoardings and party flags were put up across the city, covering major intersections and roads, including the Income Tax roundabout.

However, the municipal corporation’s move to remove party flags from a prominent intersection before the event has intensified political discussions in the city.

Party workers expressed surprise over the action, while civic officials maintained that the removal was part of routine enforcement related to public property and traffic management.

According to party sources, leaders and workers from every district of Bihar have been invited to attend the event.

The event, being held during the ongoing Budget Session of the Bihar Assembly, is being viewed as politically significant.

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–IANS

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BJP announces statewide protest against price hike in Karnataka

Bengaluru, March 28 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP has strongly criticised the state government over the increase in taxes and commodity prices, calling Chief Minister Siddaramaiah “India’s number one in deceit.”
The party has also announced statewide protests against the price hikes, with dates to be finalised after the Ugadi festival.

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, leader of the opposition R. Ashoka alleged, “No taxes were imposed in the budget, but a hidden agenda was followed, leading to post-budget increases in taxes and rates.”

The BJP will hold protests across Karnataka against these hikes. Ashoka noted that milk prices have been raised three times since the Congress-led government came to power, totaling a Rs 9 hike.

“Of this, no profit has been passed on to farmers, and incentives are still pending. The Congress had promised increased incentives in its manifesto, but nothing has been implemented yet,” he said.

Criticising the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashoka said it was full of falsehoods. “I had warned that a disaster was coming. Taxes should have been announced in the budget itself, but instead, they were raised afterward to deceive the public and garner media praise,” he charged.

“The entire economy depends on electricity and fuel. When their prices rise, the cost of all goods increases, making life harder for people. Meanwhile, the Rs 2,000 given under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme is not helping the common man. The Guarantee Implementation Committee is a wasteful body through which Rs 150 crore is being unnecessarily spent on Congress workers,” Ashoka alleged.

He further criticized the government for increasing taxes just before Ugadi, even hiking milk prices — an essential commodity during festivals. When questioned about the price rise, Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna arrogantly responded that the government does not have currency-printing machines, Ashoka said.

Ashoka also attacked the government for failing to implement key infrastructure projects. “In the last 20 months, no reservoirs have been expanded, no dams have been built, and the Mekedatu project remains stagnant. In Bengaluru, a green cess has been imposed on garbage, while service charges in government hospitals have increased. ‘Brand Bengaluru’ has now turned into ‘Expensive Bengaluru,’” he said.

Defending the electricity rate hike, the government claimed it was due to a court order. Ashoka dismissed this justification, comparing it to saying, ‘not a son-in-law, but a daughter’s husband.’

Ashoka further targeted Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who recently stated that a water tariff hike was inevitable. “On the one hand, CM Siddaramaiah is increasing commodity prices; on the other, Deputy CM Shivakumar has declared that water tariffs will go up no matter what. Instead of prioritizing Karnataka’s needs, Shivakumar was busy hugging Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin in Chennai. He could have used the opportunity to push for clearing Tamil Nadu’s objections to the Mekedatu project,” Ashoka remarked.

–IANS

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