LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced an Integrated Youth Policy and called the state’s youth its “biggest strength”, while urging them to view freedom as more than political independence.
Delivering his Independence Day speech after hoisting the Tricolour, Yogi said the policy would help young people use their abilities and realise their potential.
“Our youth are talented, hardworking and full of the determination to achieve something for the country and society. To make the right use of your capabilities and help you realise your potential, the UP government is bringing a new Youth Policy.”
Paying tribute to freedom fighters, Yogi said the freedom enjoyed by Indians today was the result of their sacrifices and martyrdom. He recalled the First War of Independence in 1857 and paid tribute to Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai and Dhan Singh Kotwal.
“Freedom does not merely mean political freedom. It means complete liberation from the anarchy, backwardness, poverty, illiteracy, and inequality due to which the country has been continuously weakened. Today, we have completed 79 years of our freedom,” added Yogi.
He said the country had made progress in tackling poverty, illiteracy and inequality over the past eight decades.
“Today, the result is evident across the country. Twenty-five crore people have been lifted out of poverty. The scope of education has expanded. Every section of society has begun to receive the benefits of government schemes without discrimination. World-class infrastructure facilities have been developed,” he said.
Yogi also urged people to remain vigilant against forces seeking to divide society along caste lines. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on the poor, youth, women and farmers, he said government schemes had been framed around these four sections.
Later, Yogi hoisted the Tricolour outside the Vidhan Bhavan in Lucknow and paid tribute to Uttar Pradesh Police STF inspector Sunil Kumar, who died in the line of duty.
“One such brave son was Inspector Sunil Kumar of the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force, who successfully eliminated four notorious criminals during an encounter in Shamli. However, he sustained critical injuries in the confrontation and ultimately made the supreme sacrifice. Inspector Sunil Kumar has been awarded the Kirti Chakra in recognition of his indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice,” he said.
Yogi claimed that Uttar Pradesh had made significant improvements in law and order under the BJP government.
“Uttar Pradesh has now moved towards becoming a model of good governance. It is no longer counted among the 'BIMARU' (ailing) states. Instead, it is recognised as a growth engine of India's economy. Over the past nine years, Uttar Pradesh has tripled its budget and successfully tripled the size of its economy. The state has seen a threefold increase in per capita income, and the contribution of women to the workforce has also tripled,” Adityanath said.
He said the state had moved from the image of “One District, One Mafia” to initiatives such as “One District, One Product”, “One District, One Medical College”, “One District, One Cuisine”, “One Division, One State University”, “One Division, One Atal Residential School” and “One Division, One Forensic Lab.”
The CM said Uttar Pradesh had overcome policy paralysis and emerged as an investment destination, with 36 sectoral policies and a land bank of more than 75,000 acres.
“We are transforming our demographic dividend into an engine of development. The rapid strides Uttar Pradesh has made --- catering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha --- in sectors such as AI, machine learning, semiconductors, the startup ecosystem, data centres, defence manufacturing, cyber technology, robotics, electric vehicles, agritech, fintech and deep tech, are opening up new avenues for investment, innovation, and employment,” he added.
