‘Modi Changed India, Yogi Changed UP’: Jewar Farmers Recount Development Journey

Farmers who gave their land for the construction of Jewar International Airport met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow and described the project as a turning point for both their lives and Uttar Pradesh’s development. Many of them, who travelled by airplane for the first time to attend the interaction, said the airport, Film City and other major projects have given Jewar a new identity and transformed the region’s future.

During the interaction, farmers spoke openly about development, law and order and the changes they have experienced in recent years. They said that the reins of development in the state are “directly in the hands of Aditya” and described the present administration as “Babaji’s rule”, under which, they claimed, no one now dares to snatch money from farmers or ordinary citizens in Jewar.

An elderly farmer, who recently returned from Hajj, blessed the Chief Minister and said that the country’s largest airport, along with Film City and other major projects, has become the new identity of Jewar. The farmers expressed pride that the very land on which they once cultivated crops is now sending aircraft into the sky. “Modi Ji transformed India and Yogi Ji transformed Uttar Pradesh,” they said.

Farmer Hansraj recounted how, for most of the farmers accompanying him, the journey to Lucknow by air was their first flight. “Ninety-nine percent of the farmers had only seen airplanes flying in the sky until now, but with the blessings of the Chief Minister, they got the opportunity to travel in one,” he said.

Hansraj contrasted the current situation with conditions before 2017, recalling an incident in which an elderly woman had her pension money snatched by motorcycle-borne miscreants while returning to her village. He then narrated a 2019 incident when land compensation was being distributed. A Muslim villager withdrew Rs 25 lakh from a local bank, wrapped the cash in a towel and carried it openly on his head. When Hansraj warned him that someone might snatch the money, the man replied, “How can anyone snatch it? This is Babaji’s rule.” Hansraj said this reflected the difference in law and order between the period before 2017 and the present, and added that he prays for Yogi Adityanath to become Chief Minister again.

Elderly farmer Jafru Khan said that Muslims in the state are also acknowledging “Baba’s excellent governance”. He shared that he boarded an airplane “wearing slippers” and called it a special experience. Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, he said, the region has seen tremendous progress, including the construction of the largest international airport, the establishment of numerous companies and the development of a Film City. These projects, he added, are creating employment opportunities and securing the future of children. Having recently returned from Hajj, he said he came to bless the Chief Minister.

Farmer Jaiveer Singh became emotional while speaking to Yogi Adityanath. He said he loved his land deeply but recalled how his elder brother had said they would even dedicate their lives if needed in support of Yogi. He praised the Chief Minister for working tirelessly for the state’s development and said that Yogi had promised to turn Uttar Pradesh into “Uttam Pradesh”, a promise they now see becoming reality.

Dr Hira Rashid, daughter of a Jewar farmer and an MBBS graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, said her dream of becoming a doctor would not have been fulfilled without Yogi Adityanath’s government. She expressed pride that she flew from the very land where her father once cultivated crops to meet the Chief Minister. She recalled a time when internet connectivity was unavailable, educational resources were limited and even bus services for school were inadequate. As development progressed under the Chief Minister’s leadership, she said, the region advanced and educational opportunities improved. In 2021, she cleared the NEET examination without any coaching, and she credited the basic facilities created through development works for enabling her success.

Rita, another participant, spoke about the transformation of the Jewar region, saying there is a “world of difference” between the old and new Jewar. Married in 1997, she recalled that at that time there was virtually nothing in the area and people had to travel to Khurja or other places for education. After 2017, she said, connectivity improved dramatically, allowing children to pursue higher education while staying in the region. She added that no farmer from Jewar had ever received such an opportunity to travel by airplane. As they looked out of the aircraft windows, she said, they pointed below and identified their fields. She expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for allowing them to witness what she called a historic moment and noted that such a massive project had been completed without protests or demonstrations, with farmers themselves becoming participants in the achievement.

Farmer Mahendra Sharma said that due to Yogi Adityanath’s efforts, their region has received a unique, large airport. He described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as great leaders whose words and actions make it seem as though they possess divine strength. Sharma said he received compensation for the land acquired for the airport and bought another property, but emphasised that the airport built on his former land will remain a major achievement for the region.

Charan Singh of the Khatik community expressed gratitude for the development brought about under the Chief Minister’s leadership. He said the region has received numerous facilities that have positively changed people’s lives and that the benefits of development have reached various sections of society. He too wished that Yogi Adityanath would once again become the Chief Minister of the state.

Ashok Shastri from Banwaripur village drew a parallel between the Chief Minister’s name and his qualities. He noted that everyone knows him as Yogi Ji and said the reins of development in the state are directly in the hands of “Aditya”. Comparing Yogi Adityanath to the sun, he said he bows to such a sun. Recalling the airport’s construction phase, Shastri said that when he used to visit the site wearing slippers, his Muslim brothers would also raise slogans of “Yogi Zindabad”, which he said reflected the level of respect the Chief Minister enjoys among the public. He added that due to the development works in the region, people’s trust and respect for Yogi have continued to grow.

At the end of the interaction, the farmers presented a memento to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. On this occasion, Kamlesh Devi, Poonam Devi, Kanishk, Babli Devi and Madhu Devi presented a Radha-Krishna idol to him. Manveer Singh Khatik, Balbhadra, Ved Prakash Sharma, Puran Singh Kori, Hazari Baghel, Khandeshwar and Mahipal Singh Jatav presented a commemorative memento titled “Kisan Ki Udaan” to the Chief Minister.