Kamal Ghorui
LUCKNOW: Speaking at the 9 Defining Years of Transformation conclave, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the state govt has worked to change the identity and perception of several regions in Uttar Pradesh through cultural and developmental initiatives.Discussing industrial growth, Pathak emphasized the success of the One District One Product initiative and the branding of local industries across Uttar Pradesh. He cited examples including Lucknow chikankari, Prayagraj guavas, Pratapgarh amla products, Siddharthnagar’s black rice, Bhadohi carpets, and Banarasi sarees.Focusing specifically on Rampur, Pathak said previous governments had associated the district with “Rampur knives,” giving it a negative image. He claimed the current government has instead promoted “Ram Violins” globally.“Earlier governments made Rampur famous for knives. We have taken Rampur’s violins to the world. Today, the music of Rampur’s violins can even be heard in England,” he said.He further spoke about the branding of traditional products such as Amroha’s dholaks, Aligarh locks, and Moradabad brassware, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi often gifts ODOP products from Uttar Pradesh to foreign leaders.Pathak also highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s rise as a manufacturing hub, claiming that 55 percent of the mobile phones used in India are produced in the state. He referred to Samsung’s large Noida facility as a major global supplier of mobile screens.Highlighting infrastructure achievements, Pathak said all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh are now connected through four lane roads. He claimed Uttar Pradesh has become India’s leading expressway state, accounting for nearly 55 percent of the country’s expressways. He also pointed to rapid expansion in railway infrastructure, electrification, modern railway stations, and the introduction of Vande Bharat trains.On aviation, Pathak said air traffic in Uttar Pradesh has increased sharply since 2017. He stated that while fewer than 50 aircraft operated daily in the past, around 115 to 120 flights now land and take off regularly in Lucknow. He added that 17 airports are functioning at full capacity and described the Jewar Airport project as Asia’s largest airport development. He also said the airport would become a major aircraft maintenance and repair hub, reducing dependence on countries like Singapore and Thailand.“Such changes reflected the broader shift in governance and development after the 2017 assembly elections, asserting that the state has moved away from negative stereotypes toward building a positive global image,” said Pathak.Praising The Times of India for its contribution to journalism and society, Pathak said the newspaper has left a lasting impact on the country since Independence. He noted that whenever national discussions or narratives are shaped around important subjects, people often look to The Times of India editorials to form their opinions and viewpoints.
