Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 13 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the Foundation Day celebration of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow on Saturday and lauded the RMLIMS for emerging as one of the top three medical institutes in the state.

Speaking at the event, CM Yogi said, 'Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences has established itself as one of the top-3 medical institutes in the state. This shows that our direction is right, our leadership is right.'

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted the initial lack of preparedness in Uttar Pradesh.

'When the biggest pandemic of this century, Corona, struck, I felt that we in Uttar Pradesh were not initially ready for a pandemic like this. Our generation had seen such a pandemic for the first time. When the first Corona patient came before us, there were no labs for COVID-19 testing,' he said.

He further elaborated on the state's response, stating, 'We collected their samples and sent them to Safdarjung, AIIMS Delhi, and NIV Pune. Gradually, we developed the facilities here. Uttar Pradesh also established some models. Virtual ICU can also function. SGPGI, KGMU, and RML did this successfully.'

On Friday, on the occasion of the 17th death anniversary of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Haryacharya Ji Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid heartfelt tributes during a commemorative event held in the sacred city of Ayodhya Dham.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted the revered saint's contributions to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the spiritual legacy of Sanatan Dharma.

'It is a great privilege to come to the holy land of Ayodhya Dham and pay my respects to this sacred soil,' said Yogi Adityanath.

He talked about the recent visit of Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ram Gulam with a high-level delegation to Ayodhya, noting their darshan of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

'They sought information about how many years it took to rebuild the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. I informed them that it took approximately 500 years. For 500 years, a community of believers struggled continuously under challenging circumstances for their faith and ultimately achieved victory,' he stated.

The Chief Minister emphasised the significance of the grand Ram Temple and the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla's idol, describing it as a 'monumental achievement.' (ANI)