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Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday called for a united India free from divisions based on caste, region and language, saying that the country’s youth would play a decisive role in shaping its future.
Addressing a state-level Teachers’ Dignity Workshop organised by the All World Gayatri Family at Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said India should move forward with the vision of an “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India).
He said more than 11 lakh students had participated in a Gayatri Parivar-organised competition, describing the participation of young people as a positive sign for the country.
The programme was organised as part of the centenary celebrations of the All World Gayatri Family. Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp before the images of Maa Gayatri, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and Mata Bhagwati Devi.
The Chief Minister also released a souvenir and felicitated the top 10 schools of Uttar Pradesh in the Indian Culture Knowledge Examination.
Yogi stresses unity over caste-based divisions
Yogi Adityanath said India cannot progress if society remains divided into caste-based groups. He urged teachers and social organisations to work towards strengthening social harmony and national unity.
He said forces attempting to divide society on the basis of caste, language and region were still active and that preventing such divisions was an important responsibility of educators.
According to the Chief Minister, working for social unity was also a way of respecting the sacrifices and contributions of India’s ancestors.
Gayatri Parivar has connected society through yajnas
Highlighting the contribution of the Gayatri Parivar, Yogi Adityanath said the organisation had worked to bring people from different sections of society together through yajnas and spiritual activities.
He said Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya played an important role in spreading Indian cultural values and spiritual awareness. According to him, the Gayatri Parivar now has the responsibility of setting goals for the next 100 years and contributing towards a more peaceful and harmonious society.
The Chief Minister said the organisation should work towards bringing hope and positive change to people facing stress, conflict and social uncertainty.
Gita Press, RSS and Gayatri Parivar founded within three years
Yogi Adityanath pointed out that Gita Press was established in 1923, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1925 and the All World Gayatri Family in 1926.
He said that although the three organisations had different approaches and origins, they contributed to awakening social consciousness and strengthening cultural values.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s association with the freedom movement and said that spiritual strength was considered an important complement to physical strength during the struggle for independence.
‘Organisations built around ideas survive for generations’
Yogi Adityanath said an organisation based on an individual may have limited longevity, while one built around an enduring idea can continue for generations.
He said Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya deliberately used the name Gayatri Parivar rather than naming the organisation after himself, reflecting the belief that an idea and a collective identity are larger than an individual.
The Chief Minister said the Gayatri Parivar’s 100-year journey demonstrated the strength of an organisation rooted in ideas and values.
Teachers are builders of social consciousness
Calling teachers the “conscience of society” and “nation builders,” Yogi Adityanath said an awakened and responsible teacher could play a major role in taking India towards becoming a global knowledge leader.
He referred to India’s ancient educational traditions and institutions such as Takshashila and Nalanda, along with the traditional teacher-disciple relationships associated with figures such as Vashishtha and Ram, Sandipani and Krishna, and Chanakya and Chandragupta.
He stressed the need to revive the spirit of this educational tradition while preparing young people for the modern world.
Yogi highlights family values and social responsibility
The Chief Minister also spoke about the decline of joint-family structures and said that families had traditionally provided strength during difficult times.
He said social institutions such as the Gayatri Parivar could play a constructive role in addressing growing social fragmentation and strengthening family and community bonds.
He urged the organisation to continue working towards preventing social isolation and promoting the spirit of collective responsibility.
UP planted 275 crore saplings since 2017
Speaking about environmental conservation, Yogi Adityanath said the Uttar Pradesh government had undertaken extensive plantation drives.
According to him, 275 crore saplings have been planted in the state between 2017 and 2026, including 35 crore saplings during the current year. He said measures were also being taken to monitor and protect the plantations.
The Chief Minister said environmental protection was necessary to ensure a better and healthier environment for future generations.
‘Rivers are like arteries of the human body’
Yogi Adityanath stressed the importance of protecting rivers and restoring their flow and cleanliness.
Comparing rivers with arteries in the human body, he said the survival of rivers was directly linked to the survival of civilisation and ecosystems.
He cited efforts to revive a river that had dried up decades ago through satellite mapping and excavation. According to him, the restoration work eventually resulted in the return of water flow during the monsoon.
Yogi calls for greater emphasis on duties
The Chief Minister also referred to India’s broader development goals and said citizens should understand their responsibilities along with their rights.
He highlighted six broad priorities: moving away from a colonial mindset, taking pride in India’s heritage, working for social equality, advancing the vision of a developed India, understanding civic responsibilities and giving greater importance to duties.
He said that if every citizen performed their duties honestly, India could emerge as a country capable of providing global leadership.
Top 10 schools honoured
During the programme, the top 10 schools of Uttar Pradesh in the Indian Culture Knowledge Examination were felicitated.
The institutions included schools from Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Amethi, Bulandshahr, Chitrakoot and Muzaffarnagar.
Dr Chinmay Pandya said the examination aims to introduce younger generations to Indian cultural values and encourage them to understand the importance of ethics, discipline, justice and social responsibility.
Several ministers, legislators, Gayatri Parivar representatives, teachers and volunteers from across Uttar Pradesh attended the workshop.
