Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister AK Sharma said Maharishi Valmiki’s teachings and literary contributions had provided society with enduring values of morality, social harmony and righteous conduct. He made the remarks at a programme organised at the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies in Lucknow to mark Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.
Sharma paid floral tributes to Maharishi Valmiki’s portrait along with Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Principal Secretary P Guru Prasad and Secretary and Director Anuj Kumar Jha. The minister also felicitated sanitation workers for their notable contributions to urban cleanliness.
Highlighting Maharishi Valmiki’s legacy, Sharma said the sage had brought the ideals and life of Lord Ram to the masses through his writings, presenting him as an embodiment of righteousness and exemplary conduct. He urged people to imbibe these values to build a better society.
Praising sanitation workers, the minister described them as the backbone of urban cleanliness and public health. He said their dedication helped keep cities clean, attractive and well-organised, adding that society must recognise their contribution and ensure they receive due respect.
Sharma also highlighted the importance of the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. He said the initiative had transformed cleanliness into a mass movement and that sanitation workers were instrumental in realising its objectives. Clean, healthy and well-managed cities, he added, were essential to the country’s development goals.
Referring to Lucknow’s sanitation achievements, Sharma said the city had secured third place in the Swachh Survekshan and first place in the air quality category. He attributed these achievements to the collective efforts of the municipal corporation, sanitation workers and residents.
The minister noted that Lucknow generates approximately 2,100 tonnes of waste daily. Efforts are underway to ensure its scientific processing and recycling, improve waste management and strengthen measures to reduce air pollution.
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal also paid tribute to Maharishi Valmiki and called upon people to follow his ideals. Principal Secretary P Guru Prasad and Director Anuj Kumar Jha highlighted the sage’s life, teachings and ethical values, urging citizens to incorporate them into their daily lives.
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