Fin minister recites Urdu shayari to highlight govt’s achievements

Presentation of Uttar Pradesh Budget took a poetic turn when, state finance minister Suresh Khanna recited Urdu ‘shayari' (poetry) referred to CM Yogi Adityanath. Not one but six sher (couplets) were recited by Khanna, including, "Qaabil-e-tareef hai, andaz ek ek kaam ka, Gaa raha hai geet UP, Yogi ji ke naam ka (Each act of his is praiseworthy, hence, UP is singing paeans to Yogi). Khanna praised Yogi profusely and mentioned work done under his leadership, adding that his style was commendable. He added that Yogi had been working tirelessly for development of UP since the very first day of his tenure. "Yahi junoon yahi khwaab mera, diya jala kar roshani kar doon jahan andhera hai."( My passion, my dream is to light a lamp and dispel all darkness. Khanna's presentation of the budget, dotted with poetry, garnered applause from BJP MLAs, who tapped the table in applause. The minister also mentioned govt's populist schemes. Reciting another couplet, he said, "Sitara ban ke aasman mein vahi chamakte hain, dubo dete ho jo apne aap ko paseene mein" (Only those who drown themselves in sweat shine like stars in the sky).He said it was well known how our ancient cultural heritage was neglected grossly by previous govts, but the situation had changed under the guidance of Yogi. "We revived our cultural and religious heritage, which, in turn, boosted tourism in the state and created new jobs," he said. "Ye alag baat hai tum na badlo magar zamana badal raha hai, gulaab pathar pe khil raha hai, chirag andhiyo mein jal raha hain" (You may refuse to change, but times are changing. Roses are blooming on stones, lamps are burning against storms), said Khanna. The philosophy that inspires our govt's work can be expressed in these words: "Bahut anmol hai zindagi ke liye, bata raha hoon falsafa har kisi k liye, Poochh sakte ho to dukhiyo ke ponchh lo aansoo, na jiyo bas apne liye" (I am sharing a philosophy with all, Wipe tears of the woe-begone; do not live only for your self). He also read, "Badi mushkil se koi subah muskarati hai...", by which he meant it was very difficult to find a happy day; every wave of sorrow came quietly. It does not take time to change a life, but a lifetime to change oneself.He said govt was working with the goal of providing a safe, healthy, civilised and prosperous society to people of the state and providing employment opportunities within the state.