Agra (UP), Dec 25 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday visited Bateshwar, the birthplace of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the 99th birth anniversary and unveiled the statue of Vajpayee and inaugurated the cultural complex center (museum) named after him in his memory.
The CM launched the heliport service for Braj pilgrimage air travel, connecting Agra to Mathura-Vrindavan. He also inaugurated the Tourism and Agriculture Exhibition and announced the establishment of a potato research center in Agra.
Upon arriving at Bateshwar, also known as Chhoti Kashi, Yogi offered prayers at the Brahmalal temple. Subsequently, he proceeded to the venue of the event organised on the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth about Rs 148 crore.
He also inaugurated the Agra-Mathura heliport service by flagging off a helicopter from Bateshwar to Govardhan.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, “Today is the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister. The whole country is paying tribute to Atal ji for his dedicated service. On this momentous occasion, I extend my humble tribute to Atal ji on behalf of the people of UP.”
He emphasized that previous unstable governments had a detrimental impact on the nation, depleting its strength. He credited Atal Bihari Vajpayee with providing a stable government in contrast.
Drawing attention to the current situation in Pakistan, Yogi highlighted the challenges faced by the population due to an unstable government, particularly in meeting basic needs such as food. In contrast, he commended Prime Minister Modi for consistently supplying food grains to the people over the past 3.5 years and ensuring a guarantee for the next five years. He emphasised that stability serves as a crucial indicator of economic prosperity.
Highlighting the challenges of the past, he noted that in earlier times, daughters faced barriers in accessing education, and farmers encountered difficulties reaching their fields. “Additionally, funds allocated for development did not effectively reach the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
The CM said, ‘The foundation that Atal ji laid for UP is being carried forward by the double-engine government. Today, development is taking place in UP, with increased connectivity of villages. Not only are roads improving, but also airplane connectivity is getting better.”
He highlighted the remarkable progress witnessed since his first visit to the holy land of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “The temples along the banks of the Yamuna have faced foreign attacks and efforts by the Tourism Department are underway to beautify these temples. The ongoing development serves as an inspiration, and it is important to treat tourists with respect,” he said.
Reflecting on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contributions, Yogi said, “What Atal ji gave to the country was world-class. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people are getting the benefits of all the schemes of the government. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra will play a crucial role in India’s transformative journey.”
He said that the construction of 18 Atal residential schools, specifically designed to provide education to the children of the economically disadvantaged, including those from impoverished and labourer backgrounds.
The CM said that a potato research center will be built in Agra. “This will benefit the farmers. In addition, solar pumps will be distributed to 50,000 farmers over the next two years. This will provide relief from diesel pumps,” he said.
