Lucknow: Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh participated in a Varishth Jan Samvad (Senior Citizens’ Dialogue Programme) held at the seminar hall of Seth M R Jaipuria School in Vineet Khand, where he engaged with senior residents and local representatives.
The minister was welcomed by BJP Lucknow Metropolitan President Anand Dwivedi with a bouquet and traditional ang vastra, while MLA O P Srivastava presented a memento as a mark of respect. Public representatives and party functionaries also felicitated Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, MLC Mukesh Sharma, and other leaders during the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said interacting with the people of Lucknow always gives him a sense of satisfaction. He noted that despite his national and international responsibilities, Lucknow remains close to his heart. “The responsibility you have entrusted to me, I strive to fulfill it sincerely,” he said, adding that he regularly coordinates with concerned ministries to resolve local issues.
Highlighting development in the city, he said Lucknow has witnessed significant progress over the past decade with strong support from the state government. He acknowledged that while some challenges remain complex, efforts are continuously made to address public concerns.
Speaking on global issues, the Defence Minister referred to ongoing tensions in West Asia, noting that India has played a balanced and strategic role amid international conflicts. He emphasized that despite global disruptions, essential supplies such as LPG and fuel have remained stable in India due to effective policy decisions and strong diplomatic relations.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, addressing the event, praised Rajnath Singh’s commitment to staying connected with citizens despite his high responsibilities. He highlighted Lucknow’s growing appeal as a city known for its quality of life, education, culture, and infrastructure, stating that many people aspire to settle in the city post-retirement.
During the interaction, senior citizens appreciated various development initiatives. Rakesh Chetli lauded the installation of open gyms in city parks, while Pandit Arvind Shukla expressed gratitude for the city’s multi-dimensional growth. Other participants, including Seema Dubey, Madan Shukla, and Rajesh Verma, thanked the minister for projects such as the Gomti Nagar railway station, flyovers, and other infrastructure developments.
The programme saw the presence of several local leaders and representatives, including Abhishek Rai, Sanjay Singh Rathore, Kaushal Pandey, Arun Rai, Arun Tiwari, Rajesh Singh Gabbar, Pramod Rajan, Deepu Jaiswal, Madhubala Tripathi, and Praveen Mishra, along with a large number of senior citizens.
