CM Yogi says Faizabad will now be known as Ayodhya; announces airport, medical college

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Faizabad district will henceforth be known as Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. PTI

AYODHYA: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya. While addressing a gathering in the presence of South Korean First lady Kim Jung-sook here, Adityanath said: "Ayodhya, which is our honour, pride and prestige, owes its identity to Lord Rama. From today, this district (Faizabad) will also be known as Ayodhya." This comes days after another Uttar Pradesh city Allahabad was renamed as Prayagraj by the state government. The chief minister also announced an airport in the name of Lord Rama and a medical college in the name of King Dashrath, the father of Lord Rama, in the district. "A medical college will also be established here in Ayodhya, I want it to be named after King Dasharath. We will also construct an airport here named after Lord Ram," Adityanath said. "Nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya," he said in the temple town, about 120 km from state capital Lucknow. Adityanath was speaking on the occasion of "Deepotsav" on Diwali eve. A section of the crowd was also heard chanting "Mandir ka nirman karao" (build a temple). "Deepotsav is about starting a new tradition," Adityanath said at the event at Katha Park which was also attended by South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook. Several projects, including redevelopment and beautification of 'Ram Ki Paidi' and stoppage of sewage disposal in Saryu river, were launched at the event.