Early Times Report LUCKNOW, June 12: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 12 years in office, saying the country had witnessed a transformative period marked by inclusive welfare, infrastructure development and improved governance under his leadership. Addressing a media interaction here to mark 12 years of the Modi government, Adityanath said the world had acknowledged the Prime Minister's leadership and India's development journey. "The entire country and the world witnessed on June 10 the celebration of Prime Minister Modi's journey as India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. Leaders from across the world congratulated him and appreciated his vision and leadership," he said. Drawing a contrast between the pre-2014 period and the present, the chief minister said, "Every Indian, irrespective of caste, creed, region or language, has seen a changing India over the last 12 years." "Today's generation can take pride in being citizens of a New India that has continued its development journey despite numerous challenges," he said, adding that India has asserted its strength globally and is emerging as a model for other nations. Adityanath credited the Modi government with implementing a range of welfare initiatives, including financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts, construction of toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, housing for the underprivileged, Ayushman Bharat health insurance and programmes such as Mudra, Stand-Up India, Start-Up India and Digital India. "For the first time, the country has seen not only planning but also effective implementation by taking all stakeholders along and turning programmes into mass movements," he said. The chief minister reiterated Modi's formulation that India effectively had "four castes" -- the poor, women, youth and farmers -- and said government policies had been centred on their welfare. |