PM Modi pays homage to Kalyan Singh, Raja Mahendra in Aligarh | All you need to know
India Today
Addressing the BJP supporters and local dignitaries, PM Modi started his speech by paying homage to Kalyan Singh and said he is deeply feeling Kalyan Singh’s absence at this time.
As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is closing in, political activities in the state are also gaining momentum. The laying of the foundation stones of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University and the Defense Corridor at Lodha, Aligarh, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is also being seen as part of this exercise.Political analysts say it was clear in PM Modi's address that the BJP is trying to create a new symbol of nationalism in Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh and wants to fully capitalise on the legacy of the late former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, associated with Aligarh.Addressing the BJP supporters and local dignitaries, PM Modi started his speech by paying homage to Kalyan Singh and said he is deeply feeling Kalyan Singh’s absence at this time. Modi said Kalyan Singh would have been very happy to see Aligarh’s new identity being created by the university and the defence sector.Aligarh, known as the city of locks, is also known for Aligarh Muslim University, but few people know about the contributions of local Jat chieftain Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, who donated the land for the establishment of the university.Laying the foundation stone of the state university being built in Aligarh in the name of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, PM Modi said India’s history is full of patriots like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, who guided India through their tenacity and sacrifice.ALSO READ: Owaisi says AIMIM will field Atiq Ahmad in 2022 UP election, talks on with Mukhtar Ansari
He said it was the country’s misfortune that after Independence, people were not introduced to the sacrifices of such national heroes, depriving many generations of their stories. He said 21st century India is correcting those mistakes of the 20th century. Be it Maharaja Suheldev, Chaudhary Chhoturam, or Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, sincere efforts are being made today to acquaint the new generation with their contribution to nation-building.The Prime Minister said that when the country celebrates the Amrit Mahotsav on 75 years of its Independence, it is the right occasion to salute Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh’s contributions to India's Independence. He said today's youth must know and read about Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh to gain inspiration from his life.He said Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh did not just stay in India and inspire its people for Independence, but he went to every corner of the world for India’s Independence. Be it Afghanistan, Poland, Japan, South Africa, taking every risk to his life, he worked hard to free Mother India from the chains of slavery.Referring to the contribution of Gujarat in the freedom struggle fought by Raja Mahendra Pratap, PM Modi said that during the First World War, Raja Mahendra Pratap especially went to Europe to meet the great sons of Gujarat, Shyamji Krishna Varma and Lala Hardayal. It was the same meeting that resulted in the formation of India's first government-in-exile in Afghanistan. Raja Mahendra Pratap headed this government.The Prime Minister said that when he was Gujarat’s Chief Minister, he had the privilege of bringing back the ashes of Shyamji Krishna Varma after 73 years. Today, as the Prime Minister of the country, he once again got the privilege to lay the foundation stone of a university being built in the name of a visionary like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh.ALSO READ: PM Modi inaugurates renovated Jallianwala Bagh memorial complex, says country's duty to protect its history
He said Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh not only fought for India’s Independence, he also contributed actively to building India’s future. He used the experiences gained from his country and abroad to modernise India's education system. Besides donating land for Aligarh Muslim University’s establishment, he also built a modern technical college in Vrindavan by donating his ancestral property.Speaking about the Defense Corridor node to be built in Aligarh, the Prime Minister said that Uttar Pradesh would become a hotbed of India's new identity as a defense product exporter. In Aligarh itself, more than 18 companies related to defense manufacturing will generate thousands of jobs by investing in hundreds of crores of rupees. New industries are being set up in the Aligarh node to make small arms, armaments, drones, aerospace metal components, and defence packaging. This change will give a new identity to Aligarh and the surrounding area. Till now, people used to rely on Aligarh locks for the security of their homes and shops. Now Aligarh’s defence equipment will also protect India’s borders.Coming into election mode, PM Modi praised the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh. Modi said that under the 'One District One Project' scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government has worked to give Aligarh’s locks and hardware a new identity. This is creating new opportunities for the youth, for MSMEs. Now, through Defence Industries, entrepreneurs here will also get special benefits and new MSMEs will also get incentives. For small entrepreneurs, the Aligarh node of the Defense Corridor will also create new opportunities.ALSO READ: Abba jaan remark: Akhilesh Yadav hits out at Adityanath for using 'divisive' language
