Lucknow: On the occasion of the third Tuesday of the holy month of Jyeshtha, popularly celebrated as Bada Mangal, Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav participated in a community bhandara organised in Lucknow on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Uttar Pradesh Photo Journalist Association at Media Point near Hazratganj Crossing. Akhilesh Yadav offered prayers to Lord Hanuman and also took part in distributing prasad among devotees and visitors.
A large number of journalists, photojournalists and local residents attended the event and participated in the community feast.
Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh Yadav said that Bada Mangal reflects the spirit of devotion, service and social harmony. He noted that people from all sections of society come together during such events, which represents the Ganga-Jamuni culture and the tradition of communal harmony associated with Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh.
He added that the Constitution also teaches the values of compassion, cooperation and mutual respect, and said that these ideals strengthen the country.
The former Chief Minister also praised the efforts of the photojournalists’ association for organising the bhandara and said such initiatives help promote social unity and brotherhood.
Among those present at the programme were Samajwadi Party national secretary and former Cabinet minister Rajendra Chaudhary, Lucknow Central MLA Ravidas Mehrotra, former OSD Ashish Yadav, along with several journalists and prominent citizens.
After attending the Media Point event, Akhilesh Yadav also visited another bhandara organised at a temple near Raj Bhavan in Lucknow, where he received blessings from the temple priest and accepted prasad.
