Up live news 24 uttar pradesh
Sampadak Praveen Saini
Lucknow. On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, a grand felicitation ceremony was organized by the Senior Citizen Club at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Sarojininagar MLA Dr. Rajeshwar Singh participated as the Chief Guest and honored the senior citizens.
In his address, Dr. Singh stated, “The positive energy of senior citizens continues to illuminate the nation. It is this very energy that has propelled India to become the world’s 4th largest economy and the fastest-growing economy globally. Uttar Pradesh today stands as the country’s second-largest GSDP and the state with the largest budget.”
*Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation-Building:*
At the time of independence, India produced only 1,350 MW of power. Today, it has increased to 4 lakh MW.
There were just 50 universities at the time of independence. Today, thanks to the guidance and dedication of senior citizens, the country has over 1,500 universities where 42.5 million students are pursuing higher education.
From the Green Revolution to the White Revolution, and from being a food-deficient nation to becoming a food exporter, the achievements of India are rooted in the tireless efforts and sacrifices of the elderly.
Today, India is establishing itself as a superpower with milestones such as the construction of the Ram Mandir, surgical strikes against terrorism, and landing the Tricolor at the South Pole of the Moon.
Dr. Singh added, “Senior citizens have shaped India into not only an economic but also a cultural superpower. Today, they are the source of inspiration for the youth, guiding their dreams and preparing them to stand strong against challenges such as extremism.”
*Uttar Pradesh’s Development Trajectory:*
Dr. Singh highlighted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the hub of investment and industry: The state has received investment proposals worth ₹40 lakh crore. Of this, investments worth ₹15 lakh crore have already materialized on the ground. The state budget has expanded from ₹2 lakh crore to ₹8 lakh crore, with ₹2.25 lakh crore dedicated to new schemes. Lucknow is ranked among the top 10 cities in India on the Ease of Living Index.
*Elderly Welfare Initiatives in Sarojininagar:*
Dr. Singh emphasized, “Senior citizens are the heritage of our society. In Sarojininagar, the ‘Ramrath Shravan Ayodhya Yatra’ has been running continuously for the last two and a half years, across 136 weeks. In addition, the initiative ‘Your MLA – At Your Doorstep’ grievance camps, expansion of facilities in old-age homes, pension camps, health camps, distribution of medicines, free consultations, and installation of open gyms in parks are being consistently provided for the elderly.”
*He made a special announcement:*
10 Ramrath Shravan Yatras (free bus service) will be organized for members of the Senior Citizen Club for Ayodhya Darshan. On this occasion, the club’s annual magazine ‘Saksham’ was also released.
Presence of Dignitaries:
The event witnessed the presence of Club Founder CA Atul Dubey, Founder Member Atul Tandon, Prof. Rajkumar Mittal (Vice Chancellor – BBAU), Justice S.K. Singh, Dr. Sangeeta Gupta (Director – Lokbandhu Hospital), Dr. Mayank Somani (Director – Apollo Hospital), Mr. Sudhir Kumar Gupta (CGM – Indian Bank), Dr. Ajay Shankar Tripathi (Lokbandhu Hospital), Dr. S.K.D. Singh (Founder – SKD Group), Dr. Vinita Das (Apollo Hospital), Mrs. Kusum Batra (SKD Schools), Mrs. Neera Dubey, Dr. Vinod Mishra, BJP leader Shankari Singh, along with several other dignitaries.
*Participation in More than 10 Durga Puja, Dussehra Mela and Jagran Programs –*
Apart from the main event, MLA Dr. Rajeshwar Singh also participated in various Durga Puja celebrations across Sarojininagar constituency and received the blessings of Maa Durga. These included: Navdurga Puja Samiti – Royal City Phase 2, Aurangabad Jagir, Bijnor Road, Lucknow, Dussehra Mela (Pragati Paryavaran Sanrakshan Trust) – Sector M, near Ashiyana Gurudwara, 35th Geetanjali Durga Puja – Sector D1, Parag Chauraha, 38th Deep Kunj Sarvajanik Puja Samiti – Committee Hall, Sector D, LDA Colony, Kanpur Road, Dandiya Night – Multi Activity Centre, Ashiyana, 10th Durgotsav (Shri Shri Durga Puja Samiti) – Rustam Vihar Chauraha, near CIPET College, Nadarganj, 44th Amousi Industrial Area Cultural Society Durga Utsav – Nadarganj, Kanpur Road, 23rd Vishal Maa Bhagwati Jagran (Sarojininagar Jagran & Jan Kalyan Samiti) – Sarojininagar Housing Society, Kanpur Road, 13th Vishal Maa Bhagwati Jagran – Sheetla Mata Temple, Dhavapur, Banthra