Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that understanding the state’s ancient religious cities was essential to understanding both Uttar Pradesh and India.Addressing devotees at the concluding session of ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran Katha Gyan Yagya’ at Gorakhnath Temple, Yogi said Ayodhya represented “maryada”, Kashi its spiritual consciousness, Mathura-Vrindavan devotion and Prayagraj’s Kumbh the spirit of social harmony.“Those who have not understood the significance of Ayodhya, consciousness of Kashi, devotion of Mathura-Vrindavan and social harmony of Prayagraj cannot understand Uttar Pradesh or India,” he said.The chief minister described Sanatan Dharm as India’s foundational tradition and said the country’s civilisational heritage could not be understood separately from it. He attributed what he termed India’s shortcomings to people forgetting their own traditions.Speaking about cow protection, Yogi said cows held a special place in Sanatan traditions and urged citizens to participate in the upkeep of gaushalas. He said the state had more than 7,000 gaushalas housing over 16 lakh cattle. Farmers keeping stray cattle are also provided financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per animal per month, he said.Praising Bhagwat Katha narrator Swami Rajendra Das, Yogi said the religious programme continued despite natural disasters affecting several parts of the country.CM flags health risks of chemical fertilisersCM Yogi Adityanath linked concerns over diseases such as cancer, kidney and liver disorders and diabetes to the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He advocated natural farming based on indigenous cattle and said agricultural practices using cow dung and other natural inputs could help address such concerns.The chief minister further said Rs 1,400 crore had been provided from his discretionary fund for treatment of serious illnesses among the poor, apart from treatment available under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
