Jayaprakash Narayan's statue unveiled; CM Yogi lauds his legacy
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Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the CM described JP as a true Gandhian who lived for the nation, Indian values, and the spirit of democracy. "When it seemed that Indian democracy would collapse under Congress's dictatorship during the Emergency, Jayaprakash Narayan gave it new life," he said, adding, "He dedicated every moment of his life to the service of the nation and its people."
Highlighting JP's roots in Sitab Diara village on UP-Bihar border, the CM recalled that the socialist leader had once demanded a health centre there in the memory of his wife Prabhavati Devi.
"Despite ruling in his name, previous govts failed to fulfil that wish. We have now built a 100-bed health centre in his village and named it after her," he said.
CM Yogi appreciated the efforts of Gorakhpur district administration, Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA), and Nagar Nigam in completing the beautification work and restoring the statue at the intersection. He called the initiative a model for other cities to follow.
The CM also paid tribute to late Dr Ashok Kumar, a senior professor from Gorakhpur University, who played a key role in installing JP's statue more than a decade ago. "Though he is no longer with us, his family's presence today is significant," he added.
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