Lucknow: On the 78th Independence Day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unfurled the national flag in front of the Vidhan Bhavan and extended heartfelt greetings to the people of the state. The Independence Day celebrations in Lucknow were steeped in patriotic fervor, with the stretch from Hazratganj to the Vidhan Bhavan adorned in the colors of the Tricolour. A shower of flower petals from a helicopter added grandeur to the event, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. CM Yogi paid tribute to the heroes of the freedom struggle and honored ex-servicemen and families of martyrs with Shaurya Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Gallantry Awards.
Independence: A Festival of Duties, Not License
Addressing the gathering, CM Yogi said that independence does not mean unrestrained freedom but is a grand festival of commitment towards national duties and social responsibility. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and urged every citizen to faithfully fulfill their responsibilities to make India the world’s leading power.
Swadeshi Model and Make in India: Global Recognition
Highlighting India’s rise from the 11th to the 4th largest economy in the last 11 years, CM Yogi credited the Swadeshi Model and the Make in India initiative for boosting national strength. He cited the recent “Operation Sindoor,” where indigenous missiles and drones demonstrated India’s defense capability on a global stage. He urged citizens to prefer indigenous goods for daily use and gifts, to keep national wealth within the country and support artisans, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs.
Eight Years of Transforming Uttar Pradesh
CM Yogi presented a detailed account of Uttar Pradesh’s progress since 2017. Once plagued by unrest and insecurity, the state is now riot-free and a model of good governance. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has surged from ₹13 lakh crore to ₹32 lakh crore, and per capita income has nearly tripled from ₹43,000 to ₹1.2 lakh. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, UP’s growth outpaced the national average.
Investment and Employment Boom
The state has received investment proposals worth ₹45 lakh crore, with ₹15 lakh crore already materialized, creating millions of jobs. Over 8.3 lakh youth have secured government jobs, and 1.62 crore have found employment in the MSME sector. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana, young entrepreneurs aged 21–40 are offered interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh, with 70,000 beneficiaries so far.
ODOP and Vocal for Local: Foundations of UP’s Success
CM Yogi credited the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and the “Vocal for Local” campaign for revitalizing traditional crafts and doubling exports. Schemes like Vishwakarma Shram Samman and PM Vishwakarma have supported artisans, while Mission Millets is promoting coarse grains in 34 districts to reduce costs and improve public health.
Revolutionary Steps in Agriculture
Over the past eight years, UP farmers have received ₹2.86 lakh crore in sugarcane payments—exceeding the total disbursed between 1996 and 2017. The state leads in production of pulses, oilseeds, potatoes, millets, maize, rice, wheat, sugarcane, and ethanol. Welfare schemes include ₹5 lakh insurance under Mukhyamantri Krishak Kalyan Yojana, ₹4 lakh compensation for wildlife conflict or snakebite, and free tubewell connections.
Major Advances in Education and Health
Through Operation Kayakalp, 1.36 lakh schools have been renovated. Eighteen Atal Residential Schools, CM Composite Schools, and Kasturba Gandhi Schools have been strengthened, with digital libraries and smart classrooms introduced. In health, UP has added 40 new medical colleges and two AIIMS in the past eight years, matching the number of colleges built between 1947 and 2017.
Infrastructure Transformation
The state now boasts seven expressways, 16 airports, metro and rapid rail networks, and a fifth international airport under construction at Jewar. With 247 crore trees planted, the forest cover has significantly expanded.
Social Empowerment and Women’s Participation
Fifteen lakh poor families have been connected to welfare schemes, with the aim of making UP poverty-free by 2047. Under Mission Shakti, women’s participation in governance has risen from 14% to 35%, with a target of 50%.
A Patriotic Celebration in the Heart of Lucknow
The celebrations featured a cultural program by the Department of Culture, with 180 artists from UP, MP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Gujarat showcasing India’s unity in diversity. The entire city center of Lucknow glowed in the Tricolour, with citizens waving flags and chanting patriotic slogans.
