Tata's Presence Will Improve Uttar Pradesh's Image: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Seeking cooperation from the Ratan Tata-led Tata Trusts, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said this will lead to changes in the state and improve the country's image internationally.

"You keep coming and give your blessings and show the path. This will bring about change in the country and the state," Mr Akhilesh Yadav said after the state government signed MoUs with the Ratan Tata-led Tata Trusts for community development programmes in sectors such as education and health.

The MoUs were inked in the presence of Ratan Tata.

<div id='ndtvrelcontent'></div"Several states are behind us in terms of population. Unless the figures of Uttar Pradesh are better, figures of the country cannot improve internationally," the chief minister said.

He put a premium on issues of farmers and villages and their incorporation so as to "usher in changes in their lives and make them educated" for employment opportunities. "It is true that Uttar Pradesh is not viewed in the manner in which it should be looked at," he noted.

The chief minister claimed that his government has worked for development of cities as well as villages since the party came to power.

"The biggest question is that poor people are not aware of nutrition. At times minor things can solve big issues like nutrition. I feel things will improve with our mutual cooperation," he said.

Mr Akhilesh Yadav said his government is trying to better the lives of women in the state too.

"We are giving Samajwadi pension and if the budget permits, not a single poor woman will be left out," he said.

 "I thank Ratan Tata... If he (Tata) comes here, people will know that Uttar Pradesh is going in the right direction."

Tata Trusts has decided to cooperate with the state government in its attempt to empower the poor and weaker sections through programmes aimed at poverty eradication, employment generation and infrastructure generation.