CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Lucknow. Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is not only a festival of religious faith, but also an occasion to remember the contribution of those who laid the foundations of society and faced social neglect for a long time. In Uttar Pradesh, religious programmes, processions and Akhand Ramayan recitations were organised on the occasion. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Maharishi Valmiki Ashram at Bithoor in Kanpur and paid tribute. The occasion also carried a message of respect and welfare for deprived sections, along with the preservation of cultural heritage.
Emphasis was laid on preserving the legacy of Maharishi Valmiki, who is counted as the author of the Ramayan and one of the major pillars of the great tradition of Indian literature. His work conveys the values of truth, dignity, duty and public welfare. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken initiatives to link the protection and development of places associated with him to the state’s cultural heritage.
Efforts are being made to develop tourism facilities and basic infrastructure at the site associated with Maharishi Valmiki in Lalapur, Chitrakoot. Emphasis has also been placed on the conservation and tourism development of the Valmiki Ashram at Bithoor. Naming Ayodhya’s international airport after Maharishi Valmiki is also a step towards giving public recognition to his legacy.
Development remains incomplete without social respect. The significance of Valmiki Jayanti is not limited to memorials, ashrams and religious events. An important aspect of the occasion is linked to the social and economic empowerment of communities that have long faced discrimination and lack of opportunities. In his message, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to society to end feelings of high and low status and to give equal respect to all.
The efforts being made by the government for the welfare, safety and dignity of sanitation workers were also mentioned. In addition, initiatives such as granting revenue village status to Vantangiya villages and extending the benefits of government schemes to Musahar, Kol, Tharu and nomadic communities have been linked to the uplift of deprived sections.
It is necessary to honour the foundation stones of society. Social development rests on the labour and contribution of people who often remain away from public discussion and recognition. Whether sanitation workers or other sections of the labour force, ensuring dignity of work, safe working conditions, fair remuneration and social security is an important responsibility of any inclusive system.
The message of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti can acquire broader meaning only when respect for cultural heritage is accompanied by concrete efforts to remove social discrimination. The development of memorials and religious sites is important, but it is equally necessary that equal opportunities, dignified employment and the benefits of welfare schemes reach the last person. The essence of Valmiki Jayanti is that the real progress of society should be assessed by how much respect, security and opportunity it gives to its most deprived citizens.
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