UP's ‘zero poverty’ plan to be named after Ambedkar: Yogi Adityanath

LUCKNOW: Speaking at an event to mark the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that UP's ‘Zero Poverty' programme that is scheduled to be launched by the end of this month will be named after Ambedkar.
During the event, Yogi highlighted the works done by Ambedkar to secure rights for Dalits and the marginalised communities, adding that PM Narendra Modi was fulfilling his dreams by ensuring equal rights for all. He also added that Ambedkar was always ignored by parties like Congress and SP, both of whom had also opposed a memorial in Ambedkar's name in Delhi.
"The ‘Zero Poverty' programme aims to ensure that no underprivileged person is left without access to basic amenities and government welfare schemes. Over the past eight years, extensive efforts have been made to saturate benefits among marginalised communities such as Musahar, Tharu, Vantangiya, Kol, Buksa, Chero, Gond, and Sahariya.
Every deserving individual has been connected with government schemes to improve their quality of life," he said.The scheme was being named after Ambedkar as a tribute to his educational, social, and economic empowerment philosophy, the CM said, adding that 14-15 lakh families would be connected with the programme in its first phase.
In addition to this, the CM announced that the gram panchayat committees managing community toilets will be provided a monthly honorarium.
Dwelling on Ambedkar's life, Yogi Adityanath said that despite numerous challenges, Ambedkar managed to pursue higher education abroad due his intellect and determination. He returned to India with the singular mission of securing the rights and dignity for deprived communities and served as the chairperson of the drafting committee of the Constitution.
"Thanks to the guiding principles of the Constitution, India today stands strong as the world's largest and most vibrant democracy, with 140 crore citizens bound together from north to south and east to west. The journey to realize Baba Saheb's vision began under the leadership of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and has gained renewed strength and direction under PM Modi," he said.
The CM also named Jogendra Nath Mandal, another Dalit icon who had initially moved to East Pakistan after partition but returned to India in a few years and a known champion of Dalit rights. The CM said that while Ambedkar is still known and revered, Mandal is a forgotten figure despite his contributions. "History is harsh and unforgiving. We must never allow anything that weakens our society or the nation.
Our very existence is tied to the strength and unity of our country. Today, there are forces at work that aim to weaken us, but we must remain vigilant and united," he said.
PM Modi, he said, was living up to Ambedkar's ideals and from the development of Baba Saheb's Panch Teerths or providing refuge to persecuted communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, he had ensured that India stood as a protector of humanity. Against this, some groups attempted to destabilize the system through agitations, he added.
Asking people to stay committed to Baba Saheb's principles, the CM repeated his message: "Be educated because only education can keep you from being misled." He also urged people to take full advantage of government welfare schemes, educate their children, and unite to uplift the underprivileged and Dalits. "Economic empowerment is only possible through education. If we walk the path Baba Saheb shows, we can secure a brighter future for the next generation. A true tribute to Baba Saheb lies in raising a united voice against injustice, oppression, and corruption," he said.