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On Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath interacted with the artists from various states including UP who performed in the cultural program organized outside the Vidhan Bhavan on the occasion of Independence Day, at his official residence and honored them. Artists from eight states, from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat to Chhattisgarh, gave captivating presentations of their folk culture.

CM Yogi took information from these artists about their experience in Uttar Pradesh and their desire to visit here. During the dialogue, many artists expressed their desire to visit Ayodhya and Lucknow. The Chief Minister immediately instructed the officials to make arrangements for his visit.

Told the artists that whenever they go to any state, they should take out an extra day and know about the local places, culture and food. It is the responsibility of every Indian to see the vastness and diversity of his country. CM said that through artists, the culture of different parts of the country connects with each other and this cultural unity is the biggest strength of India.

Kulbhushan Chandrakar of Chhattisgarh told the Chief Minister that he got the opportunity to visit Ayodhya about 15 years ago, but now he is eager to see the new Ayodhya. CM said that there is a world of difference between the Ayodhya of that time and the Ayodhya of today. Today's Ayodhya reminds us of Treta Yuga.

Kulbhushan said that Chief Minister Yogi is known as 'Bulldozer Baba' throughout Chhattisgarh. On this the Chief Minister smiled and said that you like bulldozers, don't you? You can sing, I can't sing, but at least I can bulldoze the wrong people.

He said that the coming together of artists from different states of the country on one stage is a reflection of India's diversity and cultural unity. He said that this only India is the best India. From Bengal to Maharashtra and from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Arunachal Pradesh to Dwarka-Puri, only when everyone will connect with each other, the resolution of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat will be realized.

He said that both unity and security are necessary for a better India. While talking to Neelam of Arunachal Pradesh, the CM asked about the experiences of Lucknow and advised to visit the places of Uttar Pradesh associated with Lord Buddha including Ayodhya. Told Subodh of Bihar that you people must go to Ayodhya, because Mother Janaki is also to that holy land.

While talking to Lekhpal Dhurve of Madhya Pradesh, he said that even though Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are connected, the message of Mother Narmada also reaches here with the arrival of artists. Shruti, who came to Uttar Pradesh for the first time from Jammu and Kashmir, expressed her desire to visit Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The Chief Minister agreed to his wish and instructed the officials to make arrangements. Sunidhi Pathak of Varanasi expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for better arrangements for darshan.

On this the CM said that the devotees coming from outside are guests in the tradition of India and it is our responsibility to respect the guest. While talking to Raju Bhai who came from Porbandar, Gujarat, the Chief Minister mentioned the beliefs to Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace Porbandar and Lord Krishna's friend Sudama. The arrival of artists from Porbandar is a matter of happiness for them.

Praising the presentation of Alha by Mahoba's Jitendra Kumar, the CM said that when he was singing Alha, even the Chairman got excited. He said that the artists are working to carry forward the heroic tradition of Alha.

Rajesh Prasad Sharma of Mathura, while communicating with the Chief Minister, said that it felt very good to talk to him today. He thanked Chief Minister Yogi for giving three big festivals to Mathura. The Chief Minister said that artists are not just singing, playing, dancing and drama performers, but they are the bearers of tradition and folk culture.

The past is hidden in the artists' presentations and the future takes inspiration from the same past. The purpose of giving new heights to the Deepotsav and Ramnavami of Ayodhya, Rangotsav of Barsana, Janmashtami in Mathura, Alha tradition in Bundelkhand and Magh Mela of Prayagraj is to strengthen the folk traditions. There should be festivals in every region and every district, so that local artists get a platform and folk songs reach the next generation.

In the programme, artists from Jammu and Kashmir performed Rauf and Dongri dance, Maharashtra artists performed Naman and Dindi dance, Arunachal Pradesh performed Parai folk dance, Tripura presented Darlong folk dance, Bihar presented Jhinjhiya folk dance, Madhya Pradesh presented Gudumbaja folk dance, Gujarat presented Talwar Raas, Chhattisgarh presented Rela Pata folk dance and Uttar Pradesh artists presented Kathak.

The Chief Minister honored all the artists and choreographers with citations. The artists also appreciated the system, beauty and respect received here in Uttar Pradesh. Also, the artists expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for the arrangements for darshan in Ayodhya and Kashi.