UP Diwas 2024 Celebrated Across All 75 Districts with Major Initiatives
The 9th edition of Uttar Pradesh Diwas was celebrated with great enthusiasm across all 75 districts of the state and in other parts of the country on Saturday. The celebrations marked a significant milestone in showcasing the cultural and economic progress of India's most populous state.
'One District, One Cuisine' Scheme Launched to Promote Culinary Heritage
In Lucknow, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated the ambitious 'One District, One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme. This initiative aims to highlight and preserve the diverse culinary traditions of Uttar Pradesh, which boasts one of India's richest food cultures.
The ODOC scheme represents a natural extension of the successful 'One District One Product' (ODOP) program that was launched during the first UP Diwas celebrations in 2018. Like its predecessor, the culinary initiative is designed to boost local economies and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
CM Yogi Adityanath Highlights Scheme's Potential
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the transformative potential of the ODOC scheme during his address. "Just as the ODOP scheme became the new strength of Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh and contributed to Atmanirbhar Bharat, the ODOC scheme will become UP's culinary strength," he declared.
The CM outlined how food products from all 75 districts would receive special attention under this initiative:
- Promotion of good, hygienic food items made from Shri Anna (millets)
- Geo-tagging of local products for authenticity and traceability
- Professional packaging, branding, and designing of culinary products
- Export facilitation based on domestic and global demand patterns
Honoring Eminent Personalities and Reading PM's Message
The celebrations included the honoring of five eminent persons from Uttar Pradesh who have made significant contributions to the nation. These individuals received the prestigious UP Gaurav Samman awards for their exceptional work in various fields.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath read out a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Uttar Pradesh. In his own remarks, the CM highlighted how a new India has emerged over the past few years, making its mark on the global stage, with Uttar Pradesh serving as the country's growth engine.
"This event to mark the foundation day of the state is not just being held at the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, but in all 75 districts of the state and in every state. In fact, people from UP, wherever they are in the world, are connecting with this event," Yogi noted, emphasizing the widespread participation.
New Employment Initiative for Youth Announced
In another significant announcement, the Chief Minister revealed the launch of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Employment and Industrial Zone scheme. This ambitious program aims to create employment opportunities for Uttar Pradesh's youth through dedicated industrial zones.
These employment zones will be developed on 100 acres of land in every district, providing comprehensive support for young entrepreneurs and job seekers. The initiative will offer skill development programs tailored to individual qualifications and capacities, helping youth establish businesses or secure employment within the state.
"Any youth who is inclined to start a job or business can be helped with skill development according to his qualification and capacity. To advance employment opportunities for him in UP, this distinct scheme is also being launched from the hands of the home minister," Yogi explained during the announcement.
Historical Context and Future Vision
The Chief Minister recalled that the first UP Diwas was celebrated in 2018 in the presence of then Governor Ram Naik and Amit Shah, who was then serving as the BJP national president. That inaugural celebration saw the launch of the ODOP scheme, which has since become a model for promoting traditional arts and products.
This year's celebration builds upon that foundation while introducing new initiatives focused on culinary heritage and youth employment. The award recipients honored during the event were recognized for their contributions through innovation, research, and hard work toward realizing Prime Minister Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
The comprehensive celebrations and multiple initiatives launched during UP Diwas 2024 demonstrate the state government's commitment to holistic development—preserving cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for all sections of society.
