Lucknow: Defence minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Lucknow has witnessed unprecedented development and India’s global standing has also risen significantly over the past decade.Speaking at a public dialogue in Gomti Nagar, Singh said meeting the people of Lucknow always gave him “immense satisfaction” and reaffirmed his commitment to the constituency despite his demanding national responsibilities.He noted that even with a busy schedule as defence minister, he makes efforts to stay connected with Lucknow, often meeting residents both in Delhi and during visits to the city.Calling his election as MP a “debt” he owes to the people, Rajnath said, “I consider it my duty to ensure maximum possible development of Lucknow, whether I am physically present here or not.”Highlighting the transformation of Lucknow over the past decade, Singh said the city saw remarkable progress, a change acknowledged even by visitors who saw it 14-15 years ago. He credited both the central and Uttar Pradesh govt, along with chief minister Yogi Adityanath, for consistent support in development initiatives.At the national level, Singh emphasised India’s enhanced global standing and said that international perception has shifted significantly in recent years. He pointed out that India was now among the world’s top four economies, a major leap from being previously categorised as a fragile economy.While acknowledging that not all local issues could be resolved, Singh said efforts were being made to address people’s concerns. He invited public participation and feedback to further improve governance.Reiterating his commitment to transparency, Singh said he never misled people in his political career and encouraged people to hold him accountable.
