Ahead of the Diwali festival, on the pious occasion of Dhanteras, State Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh visited local shops run by businesswomen in the Gorakhpur area. He purchased diyas (clay lamps) and other worship materials and also made the payment via UPI. During the purchase, he also held discussion with the local traders. Speaking on the occasion, Singh emphasized that using locally made products not only strengthen a sense of belonging but also contributes significantly to the vision of a "Self-Reliant Madhya Pradesh - Self-Reliant India."

 

He urged everyone to support local products, highlighting that it strengthens the local economy and creates employment. Singh added that festivals are an excellent opportunity to embrace the goals of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India.’ Likewise, on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Vocal for Local' initiative, MLA Abhilash Pandey purchased Diyas (clay lamps) and other allied things from small vendors who decked shops in markets under North Central Assembly, on Dhanteras. On the occasion, Pandey also urged citizens to support small shopkeepers by buying festive essentials from local shops. He also extended Diwali and Dhanteras greetings to people of Sanskardhani. Those also present on the occasion were Kaushal Suri, Lakshmi Chakravarty, Ashok Rajak, Sharad Gupta, Shrikant Sahu and others.