Sonbhadra (UP), Jan 16 (Reporter) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday referred to Sonbhadra as the 'Switzerland of India' and UP's 'energy capital', reaffirming his government’s commitment to its holistic development and transforming it into a green energy hub. During his one-day visit, the CM attended the closing ceremony of the Vidhayak Khel Maha Kumbh 2024-25 held in Robertsganj, Sonbhadra district. He gave prizes to the winners and runners-up, motivating them to continue excelling in their sporting endeavours. The Khel Maha Kumbh, organised in the Sadar assembly constituency, started on December 25 to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Speaking at the event, Yogi emphasised that sports is not merely a form of entertainment but a source of energy and health. The event saw the enthusiastic participation of over 11,000 competitors in various sports, including Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Volleyball, 100-200-400 meter races, Tug of War, Chess, Essay Writing, Painting, and Cricket for visually impaired players. The CM praised the participation of senior citizens in the tug of war and highlighted the outstanding performance of girls in Kabaddi. He said that the programme reflects the vibrancy of society and expressed confidence that the players would elevate the state's sports culture to greater heights. Emphasising the importance of promoting events like the Vidhayak Khel Mahakumbh in every district, he said, "Such initiatives not only inspire the younger generation but also foster positivity and creativity within society." Congratulating the district administration and organising committee for the programme's success, he expressed optimism that Sonbhadra will establish new benchmarks in development and sports. During his visit, Yogi inaugurated several development projects and highlighted plans to transform Sonbhadra into a green energy hub through floating solar power projects. He announced that the district aims to provide tap water connections to 3,94,537 households, with 81 percent of the target already achieved. Besides, he said that the Kanhar irrigation project will bring irrigation facilities to 35,000 hectares of land, benefiting more than 50,000 farmer families. Underlining the achievements of the 'One District, One Medical College' scheme led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM said, "It is a testament to the vision of Prime Minister Modi that a medical college is now operational in Sonbhadra." He also reiterated the government’s commitment to providing water to every household, preserving mythological heritage, and steering Sonbhadra towards holistic development. He commended the women of Sonbhadra for their innovation and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the efforts of local women's self-help groups in creating unique products like 'Son Soap' made from goat milk, describing it as an excellent example of the skill and entrepreneurial spirit of local women, inspired by the double-engine government. Yogi also outlined the government's initiatives to promote sports infrastructure, including the construction of playgrounds in every village, mini stadiums at the block level, and larger stadiums at the district level. He emphasised the state’s commitment to nurturing sports talent, announcing that gold medal winners in the Olympics are awarded Rs 6 crore, silver medalists Rs 4 crore, and bronze medalists Rs 2 crore. Besides, he said that more than 500 players have been provided government jobs, underscoring that sports is becoming a viable career path, with full support from the UP government. Highlighting Sonbhadra’s cultural and religious significance, the CM described it as a district rich in ancient heritage and natural resources. He mentioned its fossil park, cave paintings, and abundance of water and power resources, calling it a vital district that reflects the state's and country's ancient traditions. He said that calling Sonbhadra the 'Switzerland of India' is no exaggeration, as the district alone generates 12,000 MW of electricity, earning it the title of the energy capital of UP. Yogi highlighted the district's economic potential, revealing that Sonbhadra had attracted investment proposals worth Rs 1,97,000 crore during the Global Investors Summit. He expressed confidence that the implementation of these projects would create employment opportunities for approximately 40,000 youth...////...