GORAKHPUR, June 3 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Fazil Nagar town in Kushinagar district will be renamed Pawagarh in honour of Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir. Addressing a gathering in Kushinagar, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 272 development projects worth more than Rs.400 crore, Yogi reiterated his government's commitment to preserving the state's cultural and historical heritage. Highlighting the significance of the town, the CM said the renaming aims to reconnect historically significant places with their original heritage and cultural identity. "Fazil Nagar, where Bhagwan Mahavir attained Mahaparinirvana, will now be known as Pawagarh," Yogi said, adding that the name has long been used by Jain devotees and scholars. He said the renaming would strengthen the region's religious and cultural significance while boosting its profile as a major centre of spiritual tourism. The state government, Yogi said, plans to expand tourism infrastructure, preserve heritage sites, and promote the area internationally as a destination linked to the life of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar. The demand for restoring the historic name has been raised for years by Jain organisations, local residents, public representatives, and scholars. According to Jain scholars, Fazil Nagar is widely identified as the ancient Pava, where Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana. Moreover, emphasising the state government's zero-tolerance policy towards crime, the CM said, "Those who did not agree with words have been made to understand through bullets." He said the organised crime networks, which once operated with impunity, have been dismantled and that law and order in Uttar Pradesh has improved significantly under his government. The CM said decisive action against organised crime has created a secure environment for businesses and investors, helping Uttar Pradesh emerge as one of India's fastest-growing economies. Underscoring UP's transformation, he said, "Earlier, illegal country-made pistols were manufactured in Uttar Pradesh. Today, the state is manufacturing BrahMos missiles and contributing to India's defence strength." He said the state has moved away from an era associated with crime, mafias, and illegal weapons manufacturing to one driven by investment, infrastructure development and defence production. "The mafias that hindered development and created unemployment have been eliminated. Mosquitoes that spread diseases have also been controlled. We have replaced jungle raj with improved law and order and good governance," Yogi added....