Lucknow, February 12.
On the first arrival of President Droupadi Murmu in Lucknow, a grand civic reception was organized in the auditorium of Lok Bhavan on Sunday.
During this, the representatives of different sections of the society welcomed the President by presenting her with ODOP gifts. Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitated the President on behalf of 25 crore people of the state.
In her address, the President made special mention of the work being done for women empowerment and self-reliance in the state and described the women personalities of Uttar Pradesh as her role models.
Linking Lucknow with Lord Shri Ram’s brother Laxman, the President said that this city has been a part of the ancient ‘Kosala’ district. For a long time it was known as Lakhanpur. Remembering former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she recalled Atal ji’s statement regarding his association with Lucknow. Atal ji, who was the MP of Lucknow for a long time, had said, ‘Lucknow hum par fida aur hum fida-e-lucknow, kya hi takat aasmaan ki jo chudhaye Lucknow’.
The President described the holy religious places of Uttar Pradesh like Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Sarnath, Gorakhpur and Magahar as the focal point of India’s spiritual strength. Also, while mentioning the rivers flowing in Uttar Pradesh, called for maintaining their purity and sanctity.
Expressing happiness over President Droupadi Murmu’s first arrival in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated her on behalf of 25 crore people of the state. He said that it is a matter of pride for Indian democracy that “you have given a new height to the respect of half of the country’s population by being born in a normal family of tribal society and occupying the highest position of the Republic of India as an ideal Indian woman.”
The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh is moving towards becoming the best state under President’s guidance.
While welcoming President Draupadi Murmu, Governor Anandi Ben Patel said: “Our country has got such a President, who is a symbol of women power. Both Deputy CMs of the state Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, Vidhansabha Speaker Satish Mahana, Union Minister Kaushal Kishore as well as Kunwar Manvendra Singh, Suresh Khanna and all the ministers were present in the felicitation ceremony.
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ODOP gifts will enhance the beauty of Rashtrapati Bhavan
Earlier, the President was welcomed by the representatives of different sections of the society by presenting her with ODOP gifts. A bronze Nataraja statue made in Aligarh was also presented to the President by painters and cultural workers. Similarly, litterateurs welcomed the President by presenting her with ODOPs.
