Akhilesh Yadav blames family rift on media

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yaday on Saturday blamed the media for creating a rift between him and his uncle Shivpal Yadav and asked the people to beware of the media and political rivals.

Mr Yadav, who was speaking at a function to inaugurate the craft bazaar called Awadh Shilpgram here on Saturday, said, “You must beware of the journalists. They go to my uncle and tell him you are doing great work and then they come and say the same thing to me. After carrying tales, they make it ‘breaking news’. I want to ask them what they gain from doing all this.”

The chief minister said that his government had done maximum work in the past four years but the Opposition was targeting him without any reason.

“When one of our leader’s buffaloes went missing and the police found them, the Opposition ridiculed us. But recently when one of the Opposition leader’s dog went missing, he went to the police and the police found his dog. No one appreciated the efforts of the police,” he said.

The chief minister listed the achievements of his government and said that he would continue to do all that is needed to promote the weavers and craftsmen.

Shilpgram is unique in the sense that each of the 209 red stone shops has a green cover overhead. There is no use of chemical paint on it.

Adequate daylight and proper air circulation through cross-ventilation keeps the place cool and comfortable. An elliptical form enables a smooth corner-free circulation for visitors.

The narrow lanes replicate the density and vibrancy of Lakhnawi bazaars of yesteryears.

The bazaar has the reflection of the traditional architecture of the historical Rumi Gate and Imambara.

Awadh Shilpgram has been built on the lines of Delhi Haat by the Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board (UPHDB) in Awadh Vihar Yojana on Sultanpur Road.

It will provide an opportunity to the craftsmen to share, interact, learn, teach and sell their art and craft directly to the people and art lovers without a middleman.

There are 209 shops, including 144 craft shops, 24 craft courts, 25 open platforms, food plaza, exhibition hall, dormitory and a kids’ play area in Shilpgram.