Latest news with #YogiAdityanath
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Over 5.5 crore devotees visited Ayodhya's Ram Temple since consecration: UP govt
Since the consecration of Lord Ram at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, the city has experienced an overwhelming influx of devotees from across India and abroad. Over 5.5 crore visitors have come to offer prayers and seek blessings at the temple, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement on Friday. The surge in the number of pilgrims has not been limited to the general public. Nearly 4.5 lakh VIPs, including Union ministers, governors, chief ministers from various states, and prominent figures from the entertainment, business and sports sectors, have also paid their respects at the temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ensured that arrangements for darshan are efficient and convenient, directing authorities to guarantee that all visitors, whether common devotees or distinguished guests, experience a smooth visit, the statement read. With the completion of the grand temple, Ayodhya has become a major global religious destination. In response to the growing demand, the state government has worked on enhancing public transport connectivity, facilitating easier access for both pilgrims and tourists. The inauguration ceremony of the temple, which was attended by numerous international dignitaries, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the city's transformation. Since then, the number of VIP visitors has continued to rise, with several governors making multiple visits, often accompanied by their families, it said. Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar were present for the consecration ceremony. More recently, actors Govinda and Anushka Sharma, alongside Virat Kohli, have also offered prayers at the temple. Live Events Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal stated that approximately 5.5 crore devotees have visited the temple to date, the majority being pilgrims. He assured that the administration is taking every step to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors in line with security protocols. With Lord Ram now seated on the first floor of the temple, the number of visitors is expected to rise further in the coming days. Recently, Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk, along with his sister, travelled to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the temple. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Musk described the experience as "wonderful." To manage the increasing crowd, temple authorities have implemented an online pass system, ensuring that darshan is accessible to all, whether common visitors or VIPs.
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Over 55 mn devotees visited Ayodhya Ram Temple since consecration: UP govt
Since the consecration of Lord Ram at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, the city has experienced an overwhelming influx of devotees from across India and abroad. Over 55 million visitors have come to offer prayers and seek blessings at the temple, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement on Friday. The surge in pilgrims has not been limited to the general public. Nearly 450,000 VIPs, including Union ministers, governors, chief ministers from various states, and prominent figures from the entertainment, business, and sports sectors, have also paid their respects at the temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ensured that arrangements for darshan are efficient and convenient, directing authorities to guarantee that all visitors, whether ordinary devotees or distinguished guests, experience a smooth visit, the statement read. With the completion of the grand temple, Ayodhya has become a major global religious destination. In response to the growing demand, the state government has worked on enhancing public transport connectivity, facilitating easier access for both pilgrims and tourists. The inauguration ceremony of the temple, which was attended by numerous international dignitaries, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the city's transformation. Since then, the number of VIP visitors has continued to rise, with several governors making multiple visits, often accompanied by their families, it said. Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar were present for the consecration ceremony. More recently, actors Govinda and Anushka Sharma, alongside cricket icon Virat Kohli, have also offered prayers at the temple. Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal stated that approximately 55 million devotees have visited the temple to date, the majority being pilgrims. He assured that the administration is taking every step to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors in line with security protocols. With Lord Ram now seated on the first floor of the temple, the number of visitors is expected to rise further in the coming days. Recently, Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk, along with his sister, travelled to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the temple. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Musk described the experience as "wonderful." To manage the increasing crowd, temple authorities have implemented an online pass system, ensuring that darshan is accessible to all, whether common visitors or VIPs. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Previous UP govts were only busy fuelling caste conflicts: Adityanath
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday alleged that the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh were too busy fueling caste-based conflicts, which left the youth of the state struggling with an identity crisis. Launching initiatives to promote entrepreneurship during a ceremony in Lucknow to mark World MSME Day, the CM said the past governments not only encouraged caste-based divisions in society but also ignored entrepreneurs. Adityanath inaugurated the 'Youth Adda' platform, launched the CM Yuva mobile app, and unveiled ODOP Common Facility Centre (CFC) projects worth Rs 18 crore for Bareilly and Moradabad. Addressing the gathering, he said before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was known for riots, mafia gangs and was one of the most unsafe states for 'daughters and traders'. Despite having come into existence in 1950, Uttar Pradesh never celebrated its Foundation Day until 2018, he said, adding, 'The previous governments were too busy dividing society along caste lines and serving their own families instead of working for the state's development. They ran the state based on family politics, where each district was controlled by a different mafia. As a result of this, people faced an identity crisis.' 'Our government does not discriminate on the basis of caste, region or language. We are committed to providing a platform to every talented youth,' he said. The CM Yuva mobile app will provide access to training, loans, and information about government schemes without bias, he said. The app, he added, will ensure that no young person needs to run from one government office to another, as everything will be available in one place digitally. The Chief Minister said UP now has over 96 lakh MSME units employing more than 2 crore people across communities. 'The government has provided a financial safety net of Rs 5 lakh and social security to these units. With a 14% share in the country's MSME sector, UP is now a leading state in this domain,' he claimed. 'The state's exports have grown from Rs 80,000 crore in 2017 to over Rs 2 lakh crore today. The per capita income has increased from Rs 46,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh, and the state's GDP has surged from Rs 12 lakh 75 thousand crore to Rs 31 lakh crore,' the CM added. He also announced the third edition of the International Trade Show from September 25 to 29 in Greater Noida. The event will serve as a global platform to showcase and promote UP's MSME products to international buyers. As many as 77 products from the state have received the GI tag, and work is underway on 75 new applications, he said. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the Human Welfare Association to support artisans from all communities in protecting and promoting their products, the CM informed.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
UP to launch cleanliness campaign ahead of Kanwar Yatra
1 2 Lucknow: The urban development department has launched a campaign to ensure cleanliness, lighting, and drinking water arrangements in urban bodies in view of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra. Acting on the directives of CM Yogi Adityanath, the state govt will also be conducting a communicable disease control campaign from July 1 to July 31 and the Dastak campaign from July 11 to July 31. A meeting was held under principal secretary Amrit Abhijat to discuss these preparations. The govt officials instructed all urban bodies to conduct daily cleaning campaigns from 5am to 8am. Micro-plans will be created locally to assign specific beats to sanitation workers, ensuring regular cleaning of roads, streets, and main routes. Special attention will be given to ghats and Kanwar Yatra routes, with dedicated sanitation workers deployed. Instructions were issued to immediately transport collected waste and sludge to landfill sites or designated locations to prevent littering on roads. To address waterlogging issues, micro-plans will be created for identified areas, with regular anti-larvae spraying during the day and fogging in the evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets อ่านเพิ่มเติม Undo Daily anti-larvae spraying and fogging will also be mandatory at Kanwar camp sites. Regular sprinkling of bleaching powder, malathion, and lime will be conducted on travel routes and other urban areas. Separate mobile and temporary toilets for men and women will be set up along Kanwar routes and camp sites, to be cleaned at least twice a day. Priority will be given to cleaning bushes and unwanted vegetation along travel routes, cleaning drains, and ensuring proper water drainage. Water tanks and drinking water stations will be set up at regular intervals along Kanwar routes. Monitoring and repair of hand pumps, pipelines, and other water supply equipment will be ensured. Water samples will undergo OT tests, viral, bacterial, and chemical testing jointly by urban bodies and the health department. Any damage to sewer and water pipelines will be promptly repaired. Mechanical departments of urban bodies will ensure all streetlights are operational. Repairs, maintenance, or replacements will be carried out where necessary. Adequate lighting arrangements will be ensured along Kanwar Yatra routes and camp sites with regular power supply.
The Diplomat
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
India's Monarchy Fantasy in Nepal Is a Strategic Mirage
The vision of a pro-India monarch is a dangerous misreading of Nepal's history, its political complexities, and the implications for India's regional interests. In recent months, pro-monarchy demonstrations have flared across Nepal, with some protesters carrying posters of Indian Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. These symbolic gestures are not incidental. They signal a growing ideological intersection between Nepal's royalist nostalgia and India's rising Hindu nationalism. For some in India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – the return of a Hindu monarchy in Nepal is being framed as both a civilizational triumph and a strategic necessity. But this vision is a dangerous misreading of Nepal's history, its political complexities, and the implications for India's regional interests. For India, the idea of a culturally aligned, Hindu-majority monarchy in Nepal appears attractive amid the growing Chinese presence in the region. Proponents argue that a Hindu king could serve as a bulwark against Beijing, foster cultural affinity, and stabilize a politically turbulent neighbor. This narrative has gained traction among Indian right-wing commentators and politicians alike, echoing similar ideological currents across the subcontinent. But this fantasy is historically flawed and strategically shortsighted. Nepal's monarchy was never the steadfast Indian ally it is now nostalgically remembered as. After King Tribhuvan's exile and return with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's support in 1950, hopes for a constitutional monarchy in Nepal were high. Yet these hopes were quickly dashed. King Mahendra's 1960 royal coup dismantled the nascent democracy, suppressed pro-India politicians, and aligned Nepal closer to China – a pattern that recurred with his son, King Gyanendra, during his 2005-08 power grab. Rather than strengthening ties with India, these monarchs often positioned themselves in opposition to Indian influence, using Hindu nationalism to consolidate internal power and assert sovereignty. Gyanendra's regime, in particular, alienated New Delhi and created fertile ground for Chinese strategic inroads. Far from a stabilizing force, Nepal's monarchy repeatedly proved to be a source of autocracy and diplomatic estrangement. The renewed royalist fervor in Nepal is often conflated with calls to re-establish a Hindu state. But not all supporters of a Hindu identity in Nepal support restoring the monarchy. The Nepali Congress, one of the country's largest democratic parties, has formally endorsed the idea of a Hindu state, while opposing monarchical rule. This distinction is crucial. While monarchy implies authoritarian rule, calls for a Hindu state are more about cultural assertion – especially amid growing anxieties over federalism, secularism, and demographic change. Still, both narratives stem from widespread public frustration with Nepal's current political system. Since the monarchy's abolition in 2008, no elected government has completed a full term. Federalism, while progressive in theory, is seen by many Nepalis as creating more inefficiency and corruption, summed up in the popular quip: 'Earlier we had one king, now we have 761.' This disillusionment is the fertile ground on which royalist and theocratic fantasies grow. The BJP-RSS establishment's embrace of Nepal's monarchists reflects more than strategic calculation; it is rooted in a shared ideological affinity for majoritarian nationalism and centralized religious authority. Figures like Yogi Adityanath – who symbolize the fusion of Hindu religiosity and political power – are seen by Nepal's royalist right as aspirational models. The imagery of Adityanath at Nepal's protests is a visual manifestation of this ideological export. Yet India's historical actions have not always helped its image in Nepal. Two unofficial blockades – one in 1989 and another in 2015 – inflicted economic hardship and deepened resentment. Meanwhile, perceptions of Indian interference in Nepal's domestic politics remain strong, further complicated by conspiracy theories (such as India's alleged role in the 2001 royal massacre) that, while baseless, are emotionally potent. These legacies have allowed China to position itself as a 'non-interfering partner' and expand its footprint through infrastructure investments, soft power, and engagement with Nepal's security apparatus. In contrast, India's growing ideological alignment with monarchy risks alienating democratic forces within Nepal and undermining its long-term influence. Restoring a monarchy in Nepal won't fix the structural issues that fuel instability: youth unemployment, rural poverty, and elite-driven governance. Over 4 million Nepalis now work abroad, and remittances equate to nearly 30 percent of GDP. Nepal's economy remains heavily dependent on India, especially for trade, electricity, and transit infrastructure. India has made quiet but substantial investments in this sector – from the 900 MW Arun-III hydropower project to completed railway links like Jaynagar–Bardibas. Cross-border electricity transmission lines and the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative could position Nepal as a clean energy exporter in the region. These are the kinds of practical integrations that truly stabilize bilateral relations – not ideological posturing. Meanwhile, Nepal's elected communist leaders – despite occasional anti-India rhetoric – have maintained functional ties with New Delhi. Leaders like Pushpa Kamal Dahal and current Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli may wave nationalist flags, but their electoral legitimacy requires ongoing engagement with India. Even critics of federalism are not necessarily calling for a return to monarchy, but rather for reforms that make democracy deliver. Ultimately, betting on monarchy is not a foreign policy strategy – it's an ideological fantasy. If India wants to compete with China and maintain long-term influence in Nepal, it must invest in pluralism, economic cooperation, and democratic consolidation. The imagery of Yogi Adityanath in Kathmandu may excite some in Nagpur, but it alarms many in Nepal – and even more in India's diplomatic community. India's strength in South Asia has always come from its democratic model, not its imperial ambitions. Replacing that model with nostalgia for crowns and gods will only open the door further to adversaries who offer infrastructure without interference, and partnership without prescriptions.
