Varanasi, October 6: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that October 7 will be a public holiday in honor of Lord Valmiki Jayanti. He described Valmiki as a key figure in India’s sage tradition and a pillar of Sanatan Dharma, highlighting his inspiration for devotion to Lord Rama and recognition as the world’s first poet, credited with composing the earliest epic. The CM further disclosed that sanitation workers will soon receive direct payments ranging from Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000 in their accounts, stressing that “no one will be able to exploit them.” Preparations are ongoing, including the establishment of a dedicated portal.
Sanitation workers and Swachhata Mitras will also benefit from health coverage of ₹5 lakh through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, enhancing their security and welfare. On Monday, CM Yogi attended the Swachhata Mitra Samman ceremony at Saroj Palace, Piplani Katra, to honor sanitation workers who made substantial contributions during the Swachhata Hi Seva Pakhwada. He distributed sanitation kits, paid tribute to the workers with flower showers, and took photographs with citizens, including a schoolgirl, to celebrate their commitment to cleanliness.
CM Yogi explained that the Seva Pakhwada, held from September 17 to October 2, coincided with notable birth anniversaries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on September 25, and Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on October 2. During this timeframe, the BJP organized numerous national events. Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari began this initiative three months earlier, reaching out to every neighborhood to promote the cleanliness campaign. The CM urged all public representatives—councilors, heads, panchayat members, district leaders, chairpersons, mayors, MLAs, and MPs—to engage with dedication. He remarked that politicians are often noticed by the public only during election periods.
“Many show up during polls, and in eastern Uttar Pradesh, people say, ‘They have come!’ But do public representatives truly understand local issues? Visiting the area and listening to citizens is the first step to solving problems,” he noted. The CM emphasized that while everyone faces challenges, proactive problem-solving leads to long-lasting solutions. “If you focus solely on the problem, it remains. But with a focus on solutions, challenges can be permanently addressed,” he asserted. Throughout the 75-day campaign, public representatives visited every neighborhood, engaged hundreds of workers, organized Chaupals, and significantly broadened cleanliness initiatives—an impressive achievement.
Reflecting on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, CM Yogi underscored its role in promoting nationwide awareness about sanitation. This initiative, which included constructing toilets in 120 million homes to benefit 600 million individuals, encouraged citizens to embrace cleanliness and uphold women’s dignity. “Before 2014, many villages lacked accessibility, roads were unsanitary, and sanitation was a major issue. Today, clean villages and wards symbolize not just women’s dignity but the dignity of India,” the CM stated. He noted that cleanliness efforts, combined with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, have led to a decrease in diseases and household expenses, fostering a healthier, stronger, and more capable India.
During the Amrit Mahotsav year of independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation to concentrate on India’s holistic growth. This vision is embodied in the Shatabdi Sankalp Abhiyan, aiming to transform India into a developed, self-reliant, and globally respected nation by the centenary of independence. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that this is not solely the Prime Minister’s vision but a collective national commitment, with the citizens of Kashi holding a unique responsibility, as Modi Ji represents the city in Parliament. Congratulating the workers and sanitation staff of Varanasi South, the CM praised the 75-day campaign as both inspiring and innovative. He highlighted that over 33,000 public grievances were resolved on-site, preventing conflicts and ensuring prompt resolutions.
This initiative fostered better coordination among public representatives, workers, and municipal officials, setting an exemplary standard for effective public service and citizen engagement. CM Yogi commended sanitation workers as the backbone of cleanliness, recognizing their selfless contributions to public health. “No one diminishes through hard work; the more diligent a person is, the stronger and healthier they become. Even during the global pandemic, those who worked hard persevered,” he remarked. He added that followers of Maharishi Valmiki’s teachings continue to guide society positively and inspire creativity. “Kashi, the land of Baba Vishwanath, is evolving into a hub of creativity,” the CM noted.
He urged every public representative—from councilors to MPs—to stay connected with the public, listen to their concerns directly, and work toward swift solutions. “The public always appreciates such representatives and continues to bless them,” he concluded. For Diwali, the CM proposed a state-level initiative to distribute sweets to every sanitation worker and ensure that lamps and sweets reach every underprivileged household. “When the less fortunate can celebrate Diwali with light and sweets, we achieve true social harmony. Our duty is to unite society; we must not allow divisive forces, such as the Samajwadi Party and Congress, to fragment it. This unity will lay the groundwork for a stronger, empowered, developed, and self-reliant India,” he remarked.
CM Yogi also emphasized the spiritual and cultural importance of Kaal Bhairav, Kashi Vishwanath, Maa Annapurna, and Maa Ganga, whose blessings are believed to flow through Varanasi South. Aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision, he reiterated efforts to make Kashi clean and beautiful. He noted that the city has surpassed cleanliness targets, rising from 41st to 17th place nationally, and urged residents to sustain this progress, avoid single-use plastics, and refrain from littering. “Kashi, as a representation of India, will set a benchmark in cleanliness for the entire country,” he asserted. The program was coordinated by Varanasi South MLA Neelkanth Tiwari, who welcomed the attendees.
State ministers Ravindra Jaiswal and Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, BJP Regional President Dilip Patel, Legislative Council member Ashwini Tyagi, MLA Awadhesh Singh, T. Ram, and others were present. The Chief Minister honored sanitation workers Neelam, Rani Devi, Rupa, Mansi, Priyanshu, Deepak Kumar, Shatrughan Kumar, Suraj Kumar, and Tinku for their outstanding service, concluding the program by showering them with flowers as a gesture of respect and appreciation.