By: Yogi AdityanathGoswami Tulsidas Ji has described Lord Shri Ram as the supreme light that illuminates the entire universe, both living and non-living. Deepotsav is the grand festival through which we experience this divine radiance and cultural consciousness.The celebration of Deepotsav in Ayodhya revives the sacred tradition of the time when the entire city of Awadh was illuminated with countless diyas upon the return of Lord Shri Ram after 14 years of exile. It proclaims the eternal civilisational belief that the light of truth, righteousness and dignity shall always remain supreme.Shri Ayodhya Dham, the foremost among the Saptapuris, is today adorned to welcome the 10th edition of Deepotsav. Organised at the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, this festival has emerged as a global celebration of India’s Sanatan consciousness and cultural pride. The attention of the entire Sanatan world is focused on Ayodhya, as devotees of Lord Ram from across India and abroad eagerly await the opportunity to witness this extraordinary celebration.When, in 2017, the people of Uttar Pradesh blessed us with the responsibility of serving them, a question and a resolve occupied our minds: What must that moment have been like when Shri Ram returned to his birthplace along with Mata Janaki and younger brother Lakshman after 14 years of exile and the destruction of adharma? With what joy must the men and women of Awadh have set aside everything else to illuminate every street, every doorstep and every threshold with diyas! Although we have not witnessed Ayodhya of the Treta Yuga, with the blessings of the Lord, we are today recreating that divine splendour with the confidence of modern India.Our eternal connection with Deepotsav is rooted not merely in traditions but also in the highest values of life. For 14 years, the revered Bharat Ji renounced the comforts of kingship and administered the kingdom of Ayodhya by placing Lord Shri Ram’s sacred padukas on the throne. This revered episode from the Ramayan teaches us that the true meaning of governance and power lies not in authority but in the responsibility to work for public welfare. Through Deepotsav, Ayodhya is once again placing this noble spirit of sacrifice, dignity, service and dedication before the world.Alongside this divine splendour, however, we must also remember that dark chapter of history when our faith was subjected to decades of neglect and indignity. Ayodhya, described in the scriptures as ‘Avani Ki Amaravati’ was pushed into an era of deliberate neglect after Independence by the politics of appeasement, narrow vote-bank interests and pseudo-secularism. It was a painful period when even the existence of Lord Shri Ram was questioned and people hesitated to speak about their own Sanatan culture. When the sacred pilgrimage centres that we regard as the soul of our nation were left neglected, the very spirit of the country’s overall progress was undermined.The previous Samajwadi Party and Congress governments will always be asked why they never took the initiative to organise the celebration of Deepawali in Ayodhya, even though its very foundation is the return of Lord Shri Ram to Ayodhya. The issue concerning the birthplace was before the court, but there was no restriction on celebrating matters of faith. It was evident that their politics was driven by the disregard for the religious sentiments of the majority community. When we began this journey in 2017 with 1.71 lakh diyas, they ridiculed the initiative. Today, the same Deepotsav has become a global symbol of public participation and world records.The 10th edition of Deepotsav represents an unprecedented confluence of the contemporary outlook of the new generation and eternal faith. Today’s youth live in the digital age, and it was therefore our responsibility to connect tradition with modern technology.The magnificent rows of diyas along the banks of Saryu, the radiance of lakhs of diyas at Ram Ki Paidi, live cultural performances on floating stages over the river, 3D episodes from the Ramayan brought alive on screens through augmented reality, and the depiction of the Ramayan in the night sky through laser shows and drones will lend an extraordinary grandeur to the festival.The participation of cultural troupes from 12 countries has reaffirmed that the character and ideals of Lord Shri Ram are not confined to any geographical boundary but serve as a guiding light of truth, peace and dignity for all humanity.The most sacred aspect of this grand celebration is the confluence of faith and the economy. We firmly believe that wherever there is light, there is security; wherever there is security, there are opportunities for investment; wherever there is investment, there is development; and wherever there is development, there are opportunities for employment, happiness and prosperity. Deepotsav is not merely an event to illuminate Ayodhya with diyas. It is an opportunity to make those traditions an integral part of our lives once again, which had been neglected over time. For years, our folk art, folk culture and traditional crafts did not receive the recognition and respect they deserved. Concrete efforts in this direction gained momentum after the formation of the government at the Centre under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi in 2014 and the formation of the double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017.Local artisans, craftsmen, traditional workers and potters have made a significant contribution to the grandeur of Deepotsav. Their art and hard work keep our traditions alive. The ‘One District, One Product’ scheme has given a new identity to the local products and traditional crafts of the state. The ‘One District, One Cuisine’ scheme, launched this year, will further promote the culinary traditions of our districts. The contribution of these skilled hands has helped UP’s annual exports cross Rs 2 lakh crore. Their contribution to the state’s economy reflects the immense potential of our traditional art and craftsmanship.Deepotsav has created extensive employment and new avenues of income for local clay artisans, potter communities, flower vendors, boatmen, small street vendors, handicraft workers, and those engaged in the hotel and homestay businesses. Religious tourism has opened up immense livelihood opportunities for the local youth of Ayodhya. When faith becomes a pillar of the economy, diya of prosperity naturally lights up in the home of the person standing at the last rung of society.Extending this very spirit of Antyodaya, the state government has provided free LPG cylinders to 1.89 crore Ujjwala beneficiary families across UP on this auspicious occasion. When the burden of smoke is removed from a mother’s kitchen and her face radiates the glow of self-respect, the true purpose of welfare-oriented governance is fulfilled.The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, the state-of-the-art Ayodhya Dham railway station, the wide and well-developed Dharam Path, Bhakti Path and Ram Path, along with the rejuvenated ghats, stand as testimony to the fact that when policies are guided by commitment and intentions are sincere, development and heritage move forward together.This Deepawali, I urge everyone to celebrate a ‘Local Wali Diwali‘. Decorate your homes with diyas made by local potters and products crafted by local artisans. While choosing gifts for your loved ones, give preference to the artworks and products made by local craftsmen. Even a small initiative on our part can bring prosperity to an artisan’s household. The resolve of Vocal for Local is a commitment to enriching our own soil, our art and our people. Let us embrace local products this Deepawali and help take the skills and craftsmanship of our state to greater heights.I invite all of you to visit Ayodhya with your families and friends and witness the extraordinary splendour of Deepotsav. May every household be filled with happiness, every heart be imbued with harmony, and may the path of progress of our nation continue to advance unhindered. With this prayer, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all devotees of Lord Ram on the occasion of Ayodhya Deepotsav and the festival of lights, Deepawali.Siyavar Ramchandra Ki Jai!(Writer is UP CM)
