BASTI – Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that when money goes into the hands of foreign companies, the profits are often used to fund terrorist acts like the one in Pahalgam. The Chief Minister made this statement while performing the Bhoomi Pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony for Saraswati Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School in Basahwa. He emphasized that students from these schools, founded on Indian values, are now leading and guiding society.
“What kind of education should India have? When the then-governments could not make efforts in this direction even five years after independence, Nanaji Deshmukh started this initiative from Gorakhpur,” said CM Yogi. He added that the goal was to establish educational institutions rooted in India, Indianness, tradition, culture, and a sense of belonging to the motherland, which could contribute to re-establishing India as a world guru. The CM stated that educational institutions are not just for literacy but are the foundation for the all-round development of a child.
CM Yogi also inaugurated a book and planted a tree at the event. He said that the first branch of Saraswati Shishu Mandir was established in Gorakhpur under the leadership of the then-RSS campaigner Nanaji Deshmukh. Today, there are 12,000 such schools. He added that these institutions are honestly fulfilling the national duty of making children aware of their duties as citizens towards India and Indianness, and shaping them into capable citizens.
Education is the Foundation of a Strong Nation
CM Yogi stated that the journey of a country becoming strong, self-reliant, and powerful begins with education. When prosperity is discussed globally, the first parameter is education, followed by health, then agriculture and water resources, and finally skill development and employment. He also spoke on the significance of respecting India’s heritage. He mentioned how Prime Minister Modi fulfilled the dream of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee by abrogating Article 370 in Kashmir, and how after 500 years of waiting, a temple for Lord Ram was built in Ayodhya.
“We have to make the products of Indian artisans a part of our lives,” CM Yogi said, discussing PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. He urged people to give gifts made by Indian artisans so that the profits go to them. Otherwise, this money goes into the hands of foreign companies, and the profits are used for terrorism. He mentioned that when profits are misused, they are spent on acts like the terror attack in Pahalgam.
He stressed the importance of unity, stating that India was enslaved because its people were divided. He urged everyone to end discrimination and not allow forces that seek to divide India to succeed.
‘Developed Basti’ for a ‘Developed India’
CM Yogi said that a developed India should be the goal of everyone’s life. He added that for this, a developed Uttar Pradesh and a developed Basti are necessary, and efforts must begin to develop every village and town. He noted that Uttar Pradesh, once considered a “Bimaru” (sick) state and a barrier to development, has now become the growth engine of India in just eight years. He attributed this success to teamwork, clear goals, good intentions, and the government’s policy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”
The CM said that the perception of Uttar Pradesh has changed. He mentioned that in the last two days alone, appointment letters for government jobs were given to six thousand youths in Lucknow. Since 2017, 8.5 lakh youths have been given government jobs. He also highlighted the state’s progress in agriculture and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
The event was attended by Hemchandra, Regional Organizational Secretary of Vidya Bharati; Ramesh, RSS Provincial Campaigner; and other dignitaries.
