GORAKHPUR, Sept. 6 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday asserted that a nation's existence and progress rest on two pillars-the protection of its citizens and the elimination of wrongdoers. He warned that internal disorder leads a nation toward decline, stressing that prosperity is possible only in an atmosphere of safety. He was addressing a gathering at the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur while chairing a symposium on "National Security Challenges before India." The event was organised to mark the 56th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijaynath and the 11th death anniversary of Mahant Avaidyanath. Citing Chanakya, Yogi noted that a state that is externally secure but internally weak eventually falls into anarchy, citing Pakistan as an example of such collapse. Highlighting the role of soldiers, he said, "Citizens sleep peacefully because our soldiers endure extreme hardships, even at minus 50 degrees, to guard the nation. It is a matter of pride that India has one of the world's finest armies." He underlined that since Vedic times, India has regarded the earth as mother, and no son can tolerate disrespect toward her. Quoting the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita, he emphasised that protecting citizens and destroying evil forces are indispensable for national security. Paying tribute to the late Mahants of the Gorakhnath temple, Yogi said their lives were devoted to the service of the nation, rising above sectarian boundaries....