Veerangna Ahilyabai Holkar stands as a timeless inspiration: Vice President Dhankhar

Agra, June 1 – Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Sunday, described Veerangna Ahilyabai Holkar as a timeless source of inspiration, saying her legacy is not just a historical milestone but a guiding way of life.

Speaking at a seminar held under the Punyashlok Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Janma Trishatabdi Varsh Smriti Abhiyan 2025 in Pachkuiyan, he urged people to follow her ideals.

He called Ahilyabai a symbol of India’s enduring traditions, where religion, culture, and governance stood united even in adversity. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present at the event.

Describing Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar as a true inspiration, the Vice President stated that she revived many important temples such as Somnath in Gujarat, Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Rameshwaram, and Gokarna.

The Vice President stressed the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage. Citing history, he recalled how Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple a century after it was attacked by Aurangzeb, calling it a testament to her vision.

Praising the present-day transformation of Kashi, he said the entire nation is amazed by its progress. He added that the restored beauty of the ghats reflects the joint efforts of PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath.

The Vice President praised Yogi Adityanath as a visionary leader focused on action. He recalled how, in December 2021, the Chief Minister unveiled statues of Adi Shankaracharya and Ahilyabai Holkar at Kashi Vishwanath—echoing her legacy of restoring spiritual heritage.

He noted that Yogi Adityanath has transformed Uttar Pradesh, with major projects in Kashi and Ayodhya already completed and work planned for Mathura. “Just as we remember Lokmata Ahilyabai today, future generations will remember Yogi Adityanath’s contributions,” he said.

The Vice President urged everyone to take a pledge to uphold duty as a sacred responsibility, just as Lokmata Ahilyabai did, and to use their rights in the service of others. He added that Ahilyabai’s visionary spirit lives on in the leadership of Yogi Adityanath.

Recalling the courage of the Indian Army, the Vice President said that India gave a strong response to the cowardly attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Addressing CM Yogi Adityanath, he remarked, “The defense production from your state echoes in the ears of our enemies.”

He highlighted how the BrahMos missile, manufactured in Uttar Pradesh, destroyed terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Praising the Army’s swift and successful operation, he asserted that India has changed — terrorism will be eliminated, and anyone who dares to attack will face complete destruction.

He added that Yogi Adityanath has completely transformed the image of Uttar Pradesh. “Today, UP stands for good governance and the rule of law, which are essential for development. Uttar Pradesh has become ‘Uttam Pradesh’. We are Indians, and our identity is our Indianness. Nationalism is our duty, and the nation is above all else.”

Dhankhar remarked further: “I feel honored that Ahilyabai Holkar came from a farmer’s family. She believed in justice and set high standards for women empowerment. She even formed a women’s unit in her army.”

He highlighted India’s progress in women’s empowerment, including reservations in Parliament and state assemblies. “Ahilyabai Holkar greatly supported farmers, and today, India’s development is driven by their determination,” he said.

He concluded by saying that Uttar Pradesh is now a shining example of cultural heritage and extraordinary development. “This transformation began in 2014 when Narendra Modi chose Kashi as his political seat and accelerated in 2017 under CM Yogi’s leadership,” he said.

He praised Yogi Adityanath for guiding India’s largest state and highlighted the world’s admiration for the grand Mahakumbh event, which showcased India’s rich culture on a global stage.

Program convenor Union Minister and Agra MP Prof. SP Singh Baghel welcomed the guests. Prominent attendees included Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Vice President’s wife Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar, Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ramshankarrao Shinde, former Goa Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, MPs V.K. Parthasarathy and Bastipati Nagaraju, among others.