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Ensure basic amenities to poor, UP Governor tells babus

Photo: Subir Roy

Following Gandhiji: Chief Minister Mayawati tries her hand at a spinning wheel at Gandhi ashram on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in Lucknow on Tuesday.Also seen are Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sukhdev Rajbhar(centre) and Cabinet Minister Satish Mishra.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Governor T. V. Rajeswar on Tuesday called for effective implementation of Centrally-sponsored schemes for the poor. He said there could be no better tribute to Mahatma Gandhi than the assurance of food, education, jobs and medicine to the poor.

In contrast to Mr. Rajeswar’s take on the relevance of Gandhi, Chief Minister Mayawati extolled the contribution of the Dalit icons towards the cause of the poor and the downtrodden. She said fulfilment of their unfinished task alone would ensure a society based on equality. Political independence was not the be-all and end-all, the Chief Minister added.

At the Gandhi Jayanti function in Tilak Hall here, Mr. Rajeswar served a reminder to the babus –present in full force – to ensure that the poor have access to education, employment, health facilities and food. “You work in the districts. If you can ensure these basic requirements for the poor it would be the real ‘seva’ (service) to Mahatma Gandhi’s principles,” he said, pointing out that Gandhiji lived and worked for the poor.

Mr. Rajeswar said Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme were meant for the poor and directed the bureaucrats to check whether these programmes were being properly implemented and the benefits accrue to the under-privileged.

In her address earlier, Ms. Mayawati said though political independence has been achieved, crores of poor and downtrodden were still wallowing in abject poverty.

She said Jyotiba Phule, Shahuji Maharaj, Periyar, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram worked ceaselessly for the uplift of the poor, adding that much needed to be done in this direction.

The Chief Minister reiterated her Government’s commitment towards “sarv jan hitaya , sarv jan sukhaya”.

Describing Gandhiji as “Mahapurush” (eminent personality ), she said his philosophy of “ahimsa” (non-violence) had become more relevant now against the background of terrorism and the cult of violence used for settling political issues: “Unemployment was a big challenge and it was here that Gandhiji’s philosophy of economic regeneration becomes relevant with its emphasis on cottage and village industries.”

Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s birth anniversary is also celebrated on October 2.

The Chief Minister described him as an “inspirational figure” who played a pivotal role in the building of new India. There was no mention of the late Prime Minister in Mr. Rajeswar’s speech.

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