Wednesday, 04 May | PNS | Pauri
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled a statue of Mahant Avaidyanath at the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath government college at Bidhyani in Yamkeshwar. Thanking the Uttarakhand government, Adityanath said that this college had been built with the inspiration of Mahant Avaidyanath. The Mahant was born at Kandi village but did not stay there for long. Adityanath said that he used to frequently enquire about the education facility in the area. He said, “I had informed him that the area lacks a degree college. A committee of the locals was made and land was given for the college after which some classes were started here. I am personally feeling proud at being able to honour my Guru at his birthplace. I am also proud of being able to honour my school teachers,” he said.
The UP CM said that migration is the biggest problem in Uttarakhand. The youths of Uttarakhand are known for their talent wherever they go. He further said that migration has to be stopped in Uttarakhand if the nation is to be saved because this State is the nation’s northern border. He also stressed on the need for encouraging tree plantation and water conservation, adding that spiritual tourism should be linked to eco-tourism. Regarding UP he said, “There is no restriction on personal faith in Uttar Pradesh but that should not cause inconvenience to anyone else. The public is supreme in a democracy. There should not be exploitation of public sentiments in the name of religion. We got about one lakh unnecessary microphones removed in UP and there was no dispute anywhere,” said the UP CM.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said that Avaidyanath was involved in the Hindu religion, strengthening brotherhood and bringing those left behind into the mainstream. He also played an important role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He said that the number of pilgrims who will visit Uttarakhand in this decade will be more than the total number of pilgrims who have visited the State since independence. He said that according to those involved in hospitality, transport and pilgrimage, all hotels have been fully booked for the next two months.
The UP CM also felicitated his past teachers Rajendra Singh Rawat, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Mahimanand Barthwal and Satya Prasad Barthwal on the occasion. Cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaj, Dhan Singh Raat, Garhwal MP and former CM Tirath Singh Rawat, former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and Yamkeshwar MLA Renu Bisht were also among those present in the programme.
