In a vibrant Holi address amid the Bhakt Prahlad procession in Gorakhpur’s Pandeyhata, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath painted a picture of a transformed Uttar Pradesh. Greeting citizens on Holika Dahan, he asserted, ‘No tension, no fear, no anarchy, no goondaism—only security, trust, and respect for all. This is the essence of Ram Rajya.’
Echoing PM Modi’s vision, Yogi said such harmony accelerates India’s development. He reminisced about the dark days before 2014, when festivals meant curfews, fear gripped society, and governments fueled divisions. Traders suffered losses, women felt unsafe, and chaos reigned supreme.
Contrast that with today’s UP: a haven for unhindered celebrations. Mathura-Vrindavan’s extended Holi drew global awe for its orderly grandeur. ‘Those who called us divided, where’s the division now?’ Yogi challenged, gesturing to the eclectic throng reveling together.
Delving into mythology, he recounted Prahlad’s triumph over Hiranyakashyap via Narasimha Bhagwan, likening mafias to demons that require firm eradication. ‘Laton ke bhoot baaton se nahi maante,’ he quipped, underscoring zero tolerance for lawlessness.
Shifting to development, Yogi spotlighted the Heritage Corridor project. Narrow alleys once choked with traffic will expand threefold, illuminated beautifully. Displaced merchants receive prime relocations, ensuring no losses. This historic trade route to Bihar and Nepal will reclaim its glory, boosting local economies and exemplifying bottom-up growth.
The double-engine government’s focus on security and infrastructure has turned Gorakhpur into a development beacon. After his speech, Yogi reverently performed Prahlad’s aarti, scattered petals on the chariot, and playfully showered flowers on the enthusiastic masses, amplifying the festive spirit.