On the stage, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel; Chief Minister, the Yogi Adityanath; Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak; esteemed ministers present; other public representatives; Chairman of Banas Dairy, Shankarbhai Chaudhary; and all my dear family members who have gathered here in such large numbers to offer their blessings— My heartfelt greetings to the beloved people of our Kashi family. I humbly seek your blessings on this occasion. I am truly indebted to this overwhelming love. Kashi is mine, and I belong to Kashi. Tomorrow marks the sacred occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav, and today I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet you all in the sacred city of Kashi which is known for the very Sankat Mochan Maharaj. On the eve of Hanuman Janmotsav, the people of Kashi have assembled here to celebrate the spirit of development. Over the past ten years, the development of Banaras has witnessed remarkable acceleration. Kashi has gracefully embraced modernity while preserving its rich heritage, taking confident strides towards a brighter future. Today, Kashi stands not only as a symbol of antiquity but also as a beacon of progress. It now occupies a pivotal place on the economic map of Purvanchal. The very Kashi that was once guided by Lord Mahadev himself—today, that same Kashi is driving the chariot of development for the entire Purvanchal region! A short while ago, numerous projects pertaining to Kashi and various parts of Purvanchal were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. These include several infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity, a campaign to ensure the provision of tap water to every village and household, the expansion of educational, healthcare, and sports facilities, and a firm commitment to improve amenities for every region, every family, and every young person. Each of these initiatives and schemes will serve as significant milestones in the journey towards transforming Purvanchal into a developed region. Every person in Kashi will benefit immensely from these endeavours. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Banaras and Purvanchal for these development projects. Today also marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a revered icon of social awareness. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule dedicated their entire lives to the welfare of women, their empowerment, and social upliftment. Today, we are continuing their legacy—advancing their vision, their mission, and their movement for women’s empowerment—with renewed vigour and purpose. I would like to highlight one more point today. Inspired by great souls like Mahatma Phule, our guiding principle in serving the nation has been Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. We work for the nation with this inclusive spirit. In contrast, those who indulge in political games solely for the sake of power adhere to a different mantra: Parivaar Ka Saath, Parivaar Ka Vikas. Today, I would particularly like to congratulate the cattle-rearing families of Purvanchal, especially our industrious sisters, for embodying the true essence of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. These women have proven that when faith is placed in them, that trust can lead to the making of history. They have now become a shining example for the whole of Purvanchal. Just a short while ago, bonus payments were distributed among all the cattle-rearing partners associated with the Banas Dairy Plant in Uttar Pradesh. Banaras and bonus—this is not a mere gift; it is the rightful reward for your dedication. This bonus, amounting to over ?100 crore, is a tribute to your hard work and unwavering commitment. Banas Dairy has transformed both the image and the destiny of thousands of families in Kashi. This dairy has converted your hard work into well-deserved rewards and given wings to your aspirations. What is particularly heartening is that, through these efforts, many women from Purvanchal have now become Lakhpati Didis. Where once there was anxiety about survival, today there is a steady march towards prosperity. This progress is visible not only in Banaras and Uttar Pradesh, but across the entire country. Today, Bharat stands as the largest milk-producing nation in the world. In the past ten years, milk production has increased by approximately 65 per cent—more than double. This achievement belongs to billion of farmers like you—my brothers and sisters engaged in animal husbandry. And such success has not come overnight. For the past ten years, we have been advancing the dairy sector of our country in a mission-driven manner. We have brought the Kisan Credit Card facility to livestock rearers, increased their loan limits, and arranged subsidies. However, the most significant effort has been one of compassion—towards our animals. A free vaccination programme has been introduced to protect livestock from Foot and Mouth Disease. While everyone remembers the free Covid vaccine, this is a government that, under the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, even ensures free vaccinations for our animals. More than 20,000 cooperative societies across the nation have been revitalised to streamline the organised collection of milk. Lakhs of new members have been added to these societies. The endeavour is to unite those associated with the dairy sector and lead it towards growth. Indigenous cow breeds are being promoted, with a focus on improving their quality. Scientific breeding practices are being encouraged. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is currently underway to support these efforts. The foundation of all these initiatives is to enable our cattle-rearing brothers and sisters to embrace a new path of development—to connect with promising markets and opportunities. Today, the Kashi complex of Banas Dairy is championing this vision across Purvanchal. Banas Dairy has also distributed Gir cows in the region, and I have been informed that their numbers are steadily increasing. Furthermore, Banas Dairy has introduced a system of fodder for livestock in Banaras. At present, this dairy collects milk from nearly one lakh farmers in Purvanchal, thereby empowering the farming community. A short while ago, I had the honour of distributing Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to several elderly friends here. The contentment I witnessed on their faces is, for me, the greatest success of this scheme. We all understand the concerns that our elderly face regarding medical treatment. We are also well aware of the challenges this region, and indeed all of Purvanchal, faced in terms of healthcare a decade ago. Today, the situation has changed entirely. My Kashi is fast becoming a health capital. Major hospitals that were once limited to Delhi and Mumbai are now accessible near your homes. This is what true development looks like—when essential services and facilities reach the people. News source: PIB