Lucknow: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated Lakshman Mandapam in Gomti Nagar and said the new community centre was designed to meet everyday social and practical needs of residents.The facility offers accessible and affordable spaces for social functions along with secure daycare services, addressing long-standing concerns of families in the area.“For years, residents of Gomti Nagar and nearby Ganeshganj faced difficulties in finding suitable venues for occasions such as weddings, birthdays and traditional ceremonies. Available options were either too expensive or located far away. Lakshman Mandapam directly responds to this gap by providing a convenient and cost-effective solution within the locality,” said Singh while addressing a gathering at the ‘Gomti Nagar Jan Kalyan Mahasamiti Annual Festival’.He added that the inclusion of a daycare centre is particularly significant for working mothers.“It ensures that children can be left in a safe and reliable environment, allowing women to pursue their professional responsibilities with greater confidence. This reflects a broader vision of development that prioritises ease of living, especially for families,” he said.He further highlighted the transformation of neglected land into Dev Van and Nakshatra Vatika in Vineet Khand, providing green, clean spaces with medicinal plants for walks, yoga, learning and spiritual well‑being.“An e‑library within the same campus now gives students free digital access to knowledge, supporting aspirations across competitive exams,” he said.Singh added that initiatives like the Lucknow culture and art museum at Hussainabad ensure that modernisation does not erase the city’s Ganga-Jamuni culture.“Together, these projects represent balanced development—modern, inclusive and firmly rooted in Lucknow’s cultural soul,” he said.
