Chief Minister speaks at ‘Gomti Utsav-2026’ organised at Central Sanskrit University; congratulates recipients of Gomti Gaurav Samman
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Lucknow, November 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Uttar Pradesh, which was once plagued by unrest before 2017, is now witnessing celebrations across the State." Recalling the situation in Ayodhya before his government came to power, he said when the issue of organising Diwali celebrations in the holy city was discussed, it emerged that no such event was being organised there. Despite Ayodhya having given the festival of Diwali to the country and the world, the city itself remained in darkness. He then directed that a grand Deepotsav be organised a day before Diwali.
The CM said, "The previous government had given the State ‘One District, One Mafia’, while our government introduced ‘One District, One Product’. Addressing ‘Gomti Utsav-2026’ at the Central Sanskrit University in Gomti Nagar on Sunday, the Chief Minister said, "The Gomti is the soul of Lucknow. It is everyone's responsibility to preserve the river's uninterrupted flow and pristine condition. The festival should be organised on the riverbank and begin with a pledge to keep the Gomti clean." Referring to the grandeur of Ayodhya's Deepotsav, he expressed confidence that if the event continues to grow at the same scale, UNESCO will one day recognise it.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath added, "People were gathering along riverbanks, ghats and water bodies to offer 'Arghya' to the setting sun. We also got the opportunity to be part of Gomti Utsav on this occasion. The Gomti, revered as the Adi Ganga, is the soul of Lucknow. Civilisations and cultures across the world have emerged, flourished and progressed along riverbanks. Major pilgrimage centres are also situated along rivers. India is the land of pilgrimage because we have understood the significance of river-based civilisation from the very origins of human society to the present day." He thanked the organisers for conceiving the idea of Gomti Utsav eight years ago and giving it a grand form.
The Chief Minister said, "The pleasant weather, along with the festival, was conveying a positive message. People were visiting the exhibition, and such occasions provide families and society with opportunities to come together. Today, even when four members of a family sit under the same roof in one room, each remains engrossed in a different world on their smartphone. Such isolation leads to stress and depression, which can eventually give rise to crime and disorder." He said that this was precisely why Uttar Pradesh witnessed crime and lawlessness before 2017. Our government changed this situation by embracing a broader vision and taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.
He added, "A state once associated with unrest is now witnessing celebrations everywhere. Gomti Utsav is also part of this transformation."
Referring to the grandeur and spiritual splendour of Ayodhya's Deepotsav, the Chief Minister said, "When the organisation of Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya was discussed before 2017, it was found that no such event was being held. The city that had given Diwali to the country and the world was itself facing darkness. Our government decided to organise Deepotsav a day before Diwali."
The Chief Minister said that this year's Deepotsav was the finest celebration in the world. For two days, Ayodhya Dham remained in the spotlight across the country and the world. This is how India's faith and festivals can earn global recognition.
The CM added, "If Deepotsav continues to progress at this scale, UNESCO will one day recognise it as well. Such recognition comes only when an event is deeply connected with public faith, traditions and the participation of ordinary people. India is a nation of faith. Despite differences in food habits, appearance, lifestyle and attire, people share the same faith from north to south and east to west. People in Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh or Gujarat, share the same sentiments towards India. Everyone aspires for an Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and Surakshit Bharat."
The Chief Minister appealed to the people of Lucknow and the Gomti Utsav Committee to contribute towards river conservation. He said, "The government had set a target of completing the related works by December. New sewage treatment plants (STPs) were being constructed, most of which had already been completed. Drains and sewage flowing into the river were being tapped and diverted to STPs for treatment. Gomti Utsav should be organised on the riverbank and begin with a pledge to ensure the river's purity. Preserving its uninterrupted flow and pristine condition would be akin to preserving the continuity and purity of India's soul. Just as the sacred Ganga flows uninterrupted from Gangotri to Gangasagar, everyone must work together to ensure that the holy waters of the Gomti continue to flow unhindered."
The Chief Minister appealed to people to stop using single-use plastic, describing it as a challenge to the environment, public health and safety. He urged people not to use it for temporary convenience. People should carry their own bags or carry bags from home while shopping, or ask for reusable alternatives. Consuming plastic harms cows and other domestic animals. When it enters rivers, it obstructs the flow of water and pollutes it. He urged people not to litter temples with plastic while visiting them to offer prayers and earn religious merit.
He also called upon people to strengthen their resolve to prevent drains and garbage from being discharged into rivers. The Chief Minister said, "The event should be linked with the Tourism and Culture Department. The government had introduced several schemes for artists, handicraft workers and artisans. While the previous government had given the State ‘One District, One Mafia’, our government introduced ‘One District, One Product’. For culinary heritage, the initiative is ‘One District, One Cuisine’."
The Chief Minister said that local cuisines should become an integral part of the festival. People should visit with their families, sample the food and learn about its heritage. There must be a guarantee of quality and purity. Highlighting the economic potential of the food sector, he said that Nestle a company supplying food products, has an annual turnover of more than Rs 9 lakh crore. Mothers and sisters in every household possess the culinary skills to build a company as successful as Nestle. Once the world gets a taste of these dishes, demand for Indian cuisine will grow globally.
He said, "The festival should become a platform for promoting local products and cuisines. Local artisans, handicraft workers, those contributing to Gomti conservation and individuals working to preserve and promote folk art, folk traditions and folklore should be honoured. Young people and individuals from different sections of society who are pursuing innovative initiatives should also be recognised."
The Chief Minister called for the continued expansion of the event and assured the organisers of government support. He said that government participation would also help resolve issues related to rental costs. Exhibitions should be organised and families should be encouraged to visit, but the organisers must ensure quality and prevent people from being cheated. A campaign should be launched to make the Gomti clean and beautiful in Lucknow. The river is the soul of the city. If its soul remains pure and beautiful, nothing can stop the city's progress.
The Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the recipients of the Gomti Gaurav Samman and said that they had undertaken commendable work by choosing paths beyond conventional approaches.
Those present on the occasion included Gomti Utsav chief patron Rajiv Mishra, Committee President Ram Krishna Yadav, Director of the Lucknow Campus of Central Sanskrit University Sarvanarayan Jha, Justice Ranganath Pandey, KGMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Sonia Nityanand, noted poet Sarvesh Asthana, corporator Malti Yadav and anchor Atmaprakash Mishra, among others.
Recipients of the Gomti Gaurav Samman
Sunita Mishra, Rajesh Pandey, Dr Sunita Chandra, Jayant Krishna, Atma Prakash Mishra, Vinod Mishra, Ambika Prakash Vajpayee, Sumit Rungta, Suryamani Singh Raikwar, Dr Anand Prakash, Dr Sonia Nityanand, Sandeep Tiwari, Justice Ranganath Pandey, Suresh Bahadur Singh and Atul Agnihotri.
