In Myanmar, Yogi markets UP’s religious circuits
LUCKNOW: On his first overseas trip after assuming charge, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday his government was pursuing the path of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.
Addressing the closing session of Samvad II in Yangon in Myanmar that was attended by Myanmar’s vice president Henary Van Theo, Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deoba, Yogi said, “We have inherited the legacy of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Buddha which is reflected in the activities of UP government that is working for the welfare of all sections of the society.”
Describing Myanmar as ‘Brahmadesh’, Yogi spoke highly of India’s neighbour saying the people of the two countries were united in mind and spirit by a common approach to religion. There were many instances that showed both Hinduism and Buddhism favored discussion rather than imposing a point of view “by force”, he added.
He said: “Our destinies have been linked together for a long long time.” He then gave an example of the same.
“We are all aware how emperor Thibon was dethroned and exiled at Ratnagiri, a small place on India’s west coast. Few might be aware that almost a year later Lokmanya Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak was banished by the same colonial rulers from his motherland and confined to Mandaley jail where Tilak authored his seminal work ‘Geeta Rahasya,” Yogi said.
Introducing himself to the international audience as a sanyasi of the Nath sect, he said, “the task of connecting different places related to Buddha is in progress in UP and once ready would greatly facilitate international tourists and devotees to reach these places and experience spiritual thrill of a different kind.”
Along with Buddha circuit, Yogi also used the occasion to also market among the international audience the Ramayana and Krishna circuits that his government has announced in the most populous state.
“These circuits are being developed so that the essence of their messages percolate down to everyone, including tourists from abroad,” Yogi said on the occasion while extending an invitation to people of Myanmar to visit the Ardha-Kumbha in Allahabad in 2019.
“As a spiritual and religious event it is going to be quite a spectacle, one of the biggest human congregations of its kind. It’s something to be seen to be believed and I take this opportunity to invite you to Kumbh besides visiting UP that always had the reputation of being warm and hospitable to its guests,” Yogi said.