Yogi Adityanath visits Gorakhpur for Jhulelal Festival, lauds Sindhis contribution to nation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday praised the Sindhis community for its contributions and sacrifices to and for the nation during a short visit to his parliamentary constituency Gorakhpur.

Adityanath was in Gorakhpur to particpate in the annually-held and popular Jhulelal Festival. Offering his best wishes to the community on the occasion of the festival, he said that Sindhis have a history and a reputation for hard work, and their contribution has had an impact in ensuring the progress of not only the nation, but also the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The chief minister, who was in the city for a short while before embarking on a tour of flood-affected areas of the state, offered his prayers at the shrine dedicated to Jhulelal. Prior to becoming to chief minister, Adityanath as a Member of Parliament, actively particpated in the festival every year.

The festival began ïn Gorakhpur a week ago with the establishment of the "Kalash". After devotional hymns in honour of the presiding community deity, prayers and folk dances related to it are performed. August 25 is the day when the community takes out a large procession.

Meanwhile, Adityanath is continuing with his tour of the flood-affected areas of his state, ordering rehabilitation measures and distributing relief to those affected by the natural calamity.

On Thursday, he visited Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Basti and Gorakhpur districts.

So far, 91 persons have died in floods in the state, and nearly 24 lakh people have been affected by the deluge in the state's eastern districts.

Nearly 57,000 people have been given shelter in relief camps in flood-affected districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The situation, however, continues to remain grim, as waters from rivers originating in Nepal continue to flow over the danger mark, devastating large tracts of land and havoc among human habitation

Adityanath said that 25 districts in the state are under the grip of flood, and the state government is taking emergency steps to provide funds and help to the flood-hit.