Lucknow: Lashing out at the opposition parties, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that those who “embrace Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators and grovel before them” are the ones spewing venom against the people of Uttarakhand.
Those who point fingers at the people of Uttarakhand forget their contribution in defending the country,” Yogi said during Uttarakhand Mahotsav in Lucknow. “UP’s first CM, Govind Ballabh Pant, was also from Uttarakhand. The rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, Rapti and Ramganga also originate in Uttarakhand. Those who shed tears for mafias cannot see the pride of Devbhoomi.
Any crisis at the border is a collective crisis, he said, adding that if petty-minded people reach positions of power and behave in an unruly manner, they would be rejected by people. Giving the example of freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, the CM said that when he was ordered by the British to fire on innocent Indians, he refused, and his courage did not break despite harsh punishment. Praising Uttarakhand’s local food, the CM said that its traditional dishes were rich in nutrition and medicinal properties, but they have not been adequately marketed. He said that it was only when Prime Minister Narendra Modi began promoting millets that people learnt about grains such as ‘kodo’ and ‘jhangora’. Just like Uttarakhand’s Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Panch Prayag, Kainchi Dham and other pilgrimage sites, UP’s Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura-Vrindavan, Prayagraj, Vindhyavasini Dham and Naimisharanya are also our shared heritage,” the CM said.
The CM added that Uttarakhand’s youth, when they go to defend the country’s borders, put the nation first. “Pride in one’s heritage, freedom from symbols of slavery, respect for the army and security forces, social unity and honest discharge of civic duties are the foundation of development.