CM Fellows of Badaun raise funds and spread awareness through Madhubani painting banners

Lucknow : Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the CM Fellows initiative is setting new benchmarks in rural development across Uttar Pradesh. Deployed in aspirational development blocks, these young professionals drive innovative, grassroots-level solutions in education, health, nutrition, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, effectively translating the Chief Minister’s vision into measurable outcomes.

In Lakhimpur Kheri district, CM Fellows, in collaboration with local officials, have revitalized sub-health centres in Kukra and Jalalpur villages, establishing well-equipped delivery centres. These efforts have dramatically raised the rate of institutional deliveries to 94%, ensuring safer childbirth and better maternal and infant health outcomes. Where once only 5-6 institutional deliveries occurred monthly, the number has now surged to 20 per month, with healthcare for lactating mothers and newborns significantly improved.

In Badaun’s Salarpur block, CM Fellow Mayank Singh introduced an innovative model that blends health awareness with livelihood generation. To address the lack of resources in Anganwadi centres, he collaborated with self-help group (SHG) women to create Madhubani-style banners conveying health messages. The funds raised were used to procure health equipment for four Anganwadi centres. This low-cost, high-impact approach led to a notable increase in ANC checkup registrations among pregnant women.

Inspired by his initiative, Momina, another SHG member, used ODOP zari-zardozi art to craft awareness banners, winning first prize. Plans are underway to expand this model to promote awareness of TB and education.

In Gorakhpur’s Brahmapur block, CM Fellow Praveen Kumar Rao has significantly boosted the production and export of Kala Namak rice. By forming a 58-hectare cluster under the Agricultural Export Policy 2019, and working closely with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), he facilitated a Rs 100/kg seed subsidy. He secured up to Rs 10 lakh in support for 200 farmers. This initiative has expanded the cultivation of the prized rice variety and increased farmers’ income by nearly 1.5 times through exports.

In Ballia’s Sohawan block, CM Fellow Binod Kumar Jaiswal introduced smart TVS to Primary School Narhi, bringing digital learning to the school. This resulted in a surge in student enrollment and attendance, from 148 students in May 2024 to 194 by September, with attendance now reaching 85%.

These transformative efforts directly result from CM Yogi Adityanath’s forward-looking policy to empower youth-led innovation in rural areas. The CM Fellows are not just implementing programs; they are redefining the development narrative of rural Uttar Pradesh through sustainable, inclusive, and impactful interventions.