Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the General Bipin Rawat Auditorium at Sainik School, Gorakhpur, on Tuesday. The state-of-the-art facility, with a seating capacity of over 1,000, stands as a tribute to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). During the event, the Chief Minister unveiled a statue of the late General Rawat and paid floral tributes on the fourth anniversary of his passing.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister delivered a stern warning against elements attempting to fracture Indian society along lines of caste, region, or language. Drawing historical parallels, he equated such divisive forces with figures like Jaichand and Mir Jafar, who are historically associated with betrayal.
“Those who divide the nation stand in the ranks of Jaichand and Mir Jafar. Whenever these divisive forces gain power, they think only of themselves and their families, acquiring properties, hotels, and even islands abroad.” — Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
He emphasized that true national welfare cannot be built on short-term appeasement policies. Real progress, he asserted, is contingent upon ending discrimination and fostering national unity.
Embracing the ‘Panch Pran’
Referring to the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ of 2022, CM Yogi urged citizens to adopt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges) as guiding mantras for life. He stated that the goal of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) requires a collective shift in mindset. He questioned why historical narratives continue to label foreign invaders like Alexander as ‘Great’.
The Chief Minister argued that for Indians, greatness lies in icons like Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and modern heroes like General Bipin Rawat and Param Vir Chakra awardees. He stressed the need to shed the colonial mentality that views Indian products or culture as inferior.
Focus on Civic Duty
Highlighting the importance of civic responsibility, the Chief Minister noted that while rights have been debated extensively since independence, duties often take a backseat. He cited the closure of the Gorakhpur fertilizer plant in 1990 due to excessive unionism as a cautionary tale. He contrasted this with the reopening of the plant in 2016, which now produces nearly three times its earlier output, proving that adherence to duty drives progress.
He pointed to General Bipin Rawat as the ultimate symbol of duty-consciousness. The Chief Minister announced that the Sainik School in Gorakhpur would observe December 8 annually as ‘Inspiration Day’ to remember the martyrs and instil patriotism in cadets.
Honoring a Legacy
The event was attended by General Rawat’s daughters, Kritika and Tarini, whom the Chief Minister honored with shawls and mementoes. He expressed gratitude to the family and the GBR Memorial Foundation of India for installing the statue.
Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, was present as a special guest. He described General Rawat as a fearless leader who balanced discipline with compassion. Former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) RKS Bhadauria, also addressed the audience, calling the auditorium a fitting tribute to a master strategist who worked tirelessly for the integration of the armed forces.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the progress of the Sainik School itself, noting it now educates 310 cadets, including 75 girls, following the introduction of reservations for girls in 2018.
