Gorakhpur: Addressing the ‘Samvadi Gorakhpur' event here on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised Hindi's role as a unifying force across India and underscored importance of self-reliance and local craftsmanship. He praised Hindi's power to connect, noting its integral role during the freedom movement and its continued relevance in binding the nation. "Only a language arising from the heart can captivate people," he said, adding that PM Modi had promoted Hindi as a global medium.
Highlighting media's role as democracy's "fourth pillar", Yogi cited its responsibility in raising societal issues and acknowledged newspapers' significant contribution to India's independence. He recalled writings of poets like Ram Prasad Bismil, Shyam Narayan Pandey and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who celebrated freedom fighters and inspired national pride.
Discussing the ‘Vocal for Local' initiative, the chief minister noted that under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, UP's artisans were now exporting products worth Rs 2 lakh crore annually. He outlined govt programs like Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana and Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana, which provide artisans with training and support to foster self-reliance.
Referring to the G20 Summit, he lauded India's use of Hindi as an official language, strengthening its global presence. He concluded with a call to promote Hindi in the digital era, asserting that India's journey toward self-reliance lay in respecting language and traditional skills. Intellectuals and media representatives from Gorakhpur attended the event, marking celebration of Hindi and India's cultural heritage.