Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Noida road named after The Indian Express founder Ramnath Goenka.
Underlining that an independent media is the “fourth pillar” of a democracy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said he was “committed to assuring” that his government would engage with the media keeping this crucial “role” in mind.
Inaugurating the Ramnath Goenka Marg, a 2.2-km road stretch in Noida Sector 10 – where the office of The Indian Express is located – named after its founder, the Chief Minister said this was a significant day in more ways than one given that Emergency was declared on June 25 in 1975 to “strangle democracy”.
He highlighted the role Ramnath Goenka played in opposing Emergency, a “black chapter” in the history of the country, to protect free speech and a free press.
“The day is significant for me from an emotional point of view as well as from the point of safeguarding democracy. I do not think this is a mere coincidence. It is divine inspiration that the memorial is being named after Ramnath Goenka ji on June 25… He was the man who made the most significant contribution to not only ensuring freedom of the press but also to safeguard democracy, which was under attack 48 years ago.”
He added: “It is a matter of pride for me that I got the opportunity to inaugurate this road after Ramnath Goenkaji in what is known as the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Noida. I pay tribute to Ramnath Goenkaji and all the soldiers of democracy who sacrificed their lives to protect it.”
“The day is significant for me from an emotional point of view as well as from the point of safeguarding democracy. I do not think this is a mere coincidence. It is divine inspiration that the memorial is being named after Ramnath Goenka ji on June 25… He was the man who made the most significant contribution to not only ensuring freedom of the press but also to safeguard democracy, which was under attack 48 years ago.”
He added: “It is a matter of pride for me that I got the opportunity to inaugurate this road after Ramnath Goenkaji in what is known as the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Noida. I pay tribute to Ramnath Goenkaji and all the soldiers of democracy who sacrificed their lives to protect it.”
Drawing “inspiration from Bapu” (Mahatma Gandhi), Yogi Adityanath recalled, Ramnath Goenka established The Indian Express in 1932. “Coming from a remote village in Bihar, Ramnath Goenka ji not only played a frontal role during the freedom movement, but also launched The Indian Express to give voice to the people of the country. He spoke for press freedom, contested elections and amplified the voice of the people in Parliament,” he said.
