Lucknow, November 16: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the contribution of heroes and warrior women in India’s freedom struggle is unforgettable. The land of Lucknow is unique in this matter.
He said that Uttar Pradesh was the focal point of the first freedom struggle of 1857. Martyr Mangal Pandey had given its roar in Barrackpore. Dhan Singh Kotwal had taken it forward in Meerut. In Jhansi, Maharani Lakshmibai was leading it as an immortal warrior. Tatya Tope was strengthening that wave in Bithoor.
Chief Minister also mentioned Begum Hazrat Mahal, saying that she is remembered as an immortal warrior of the first war of independence, who, along with immortal warriors like Virangna Uda Devi Pasi, drove out the foreign invaders. Virangna Uda Devi is not only an inspiration for women, but also for every Indian.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, unveiled the statue of Veerangna Uda Devi Pasi, an epitome of valor, sacrifice, and self-denial, in Lucknow on Sunday, on her martyrdom day. He also addressed the Pasi Swabhiman Diwas.
If injustice is great, the resistance should be even greater.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that Virangna Uda Devi, to shake the foundations of foreign rule and respond to oppression, climbed a peepal tree in Lucknow’s Sikandar Bagh on November 16, 1857, and killed 36 British soldiers. Her name has become immortal in history. Virangana Uda Devi’s sacrifice inspires that if injustice is great, the resistance should be even greater. She guided the country’s revolutionaries and youth to fight against injustice.
CM Yogi Adityanath stated that the double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh, under the guidance of PM Modi, is honoring heritage. Kashi Vishwanath Dham was built in Kashi, and a temple dedicated to Lord Ram was built at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.
CM Yogi stated that he attended events at Maharaja Bijli Pasi Fort. “Our government has approved the beautification of the fort, as well as the installation of light and sound systems, so that the current generation can learn about and draw inspiration from the history of the warriors of this region (Maharaja Lakhan Pasi, Satan Pasi, Cheetah Pasi, Bijli Pasi, Raja Ganga Baksh Rawat, and Veera Pasi). The government is restoring these old forts and making them a focal point of inspiration for the youth and the current generation.
CM Yogi said that the state government has incorporated the contributions of every revolutionary, martyr, and son of Mother India into the curriculum. An additional book has been made available to children in the Basic Education Council. Curriculum has been expanded at the local, regional, and state levels, so that the current generation can learn about great men in different grades.
CM Yogi said that his government has recruited 219,000 police personnel in eight years, making 20% โโwomen’s recruitment mandatory. The government has also formed three new women’s PAC battalions in the state. The Lucknow PAC battalion is named after the warrior Uda Devi. The government is working on installing her life-size statue. The battalion in Gorakhpur is named after the warrior Jhalkari Bai Kori and the battalion in Badaun is named after the warrior Avanti Bai Lodhi. These women warriors demonstrated the valor and courage of women in the fight for the country’s independence, defeating the British.
CM Yogi attacked the foreign government, saying that it had isolated a community to cut it off from the mainstream because of its call for revolution. A caste cut off from the mainstream of society falls behind, a situation similar to that faced by the Scheduled Castes and Pasi communities. The double-engine government is working on a war footing to construct a memorial and cultural center for Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Lucknow. Scholarships for research and higher education for Scheduled Caste students are also being arranged here.
CM Yogi said that the establishment of 109 Sarvodaya schools in 62 districts is complete and underway. All arrangements, including accommodation for students, have been initiated at the government level through the Ashram system of schools. This year also marks the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In his memory, Atal Residential Schools have been constructed in 18 districts. Arrangements for boarding, lodging and modern education have been made here for the children who became destitute during Covid and for the children of labourers. The state government is providing Rs 9600 crore as scholarship to more than 32,49,800 pre-matric students and about 90 lakh post-matric students among the Scheduled Castes. The government is also providing coaching facilities for competitive exams in every district under the Scheduled Caste Abhyudaya Yojana.
CM Yogi said that the state government is working with full commitment for the safety, respect and self-reliance of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Respect for women power and upliftment of the deprived class is the aim of the double engine government. Virangana Uda Devi, Avanti Bai and Jhalkari Bai remind us that women power is powerful. The double engine government will work with full commitment to honour those who have dedicated themselves for the independence of India and the protection of the country in independent India and for the self-reliance of the present generation.