New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah graced the ‘Uttar Pradesh Diwas’ celebrations as the esteemed chief guest. The event took place at Rashtra Prerna Sthal and was attended by several eminent figures, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, officials, and citizens from various regions of the state. Notably, Shubhanshu Shukla and Alakh Pandey were recognized among the distinguished individuals honored during this significant occasion.

During the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the ‘One District One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme. This initiative aims to identify each district's unique traditional cuisine and connect it with quality enhancement, branding, and market accessibility. The objective is to elevate local flavors to achieve regional, national, and global acclaim, thus uplifting the livelihoods linked to traditional culinary practices.

Alongside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Amit Shah explored stalls displaying a variety of traditional cuisines from different districts, interacting with participants and celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Uttar Pradesh.

Awards were distributed to several esteemed personalities, including Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey, poet Hariom Panwar, and ISARC Director Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, recognizing their significant contributions to their respective fields.

A theme song titled ‘Uttar Pradesh, Uttam Pradesh,’ showcasing the development journey of the state, was also played, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Addressing the attendees, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Ministers congratulated the citizens on Uttar Pradesh Diwas and emphasized the progress achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed a message from Prime Minister Modi, stating, “Congratulations to the people on Uttar Pradesh Diwas. The birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya, and Lord Krishna’s Mathura, alongside eternal Kashi and sacred Prayagraj, embody the immense cultural capacity of Uttar Pradesh, fulfilling the dream of boundless tourism.”

He further highlighted that Uttar Pradesh is the land of numerous freedom fighters and heroes such as Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkaribai, Mangal Pandey, and Ram Prasad Bismil. “The people of Uttar Pradesh have established a unique identity through their perseverance and hard work. The state is now on its path to achieving a one trillion dollar economy,” he added.

Regarding infrastructure advancements, the Chief Minister mentioned significant projects like the Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and Ganga Expressway, which are propelling Uttar Pradesh’s development. He noted that the state is set to establish 21 airports and is emerging as a major aviation hub, with international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ayodhya opening up to global connectivity.

He emphasized the strengthening of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, with numerous small businesses and MSMEs flourishing across the state. “Every district possesses its own unique strength, whether it’s the Banarasi saree from Varanasi or other specialties from different areas. The One District One Product scheme has empowered countless small entrepreneurs,” he remarked.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also noted that Uttar Pradesh has achieved a leading position in mobile manufacturing and serves as a model of robust law and order.

In conclusion, he stated, “Today is a day to commit to making Uttar Pradesh a progressive state. As the most populous state, Uttar Pradesh plays a pivotal role in the nation's advancement. I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to the citizens on Uttar Pradesh Diwas.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah through a post on the social media platform X, warmly greeting him in Lucknow, a city known for its prosperity, culture, and harmony, which cherishes the sacred memories of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.