Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that Minimata had an incomparable persona and she was known for her simplicity and values.

Addressing the Minimata Memorial Day and Pratibha Samman Samaroh at Shaheed Smarak Bhawan in the state capital on the occasion of 50th death anniversary of first female MP of Chhattisgarh Minimata, Baghel said that Minimata had dedicated her entire life to the welfare of humankind. She had played an important role in getting the Prevention of Untouchability Act passed in the Parliament, to protect the civil rights of Dalits. She not only advocated eradication of social evils such as child marriage and dowry system in the society, but also raised the issue in the Parliament, Baghel added.

Chief Minister Baghel further said that Minimata was the epitome of women power and dignity. As the first female Member of Parliament (MP) of Chhattisgarh, her contribution towards upliftment of Dalits and women will always be remembered, he added.

Baghel that Minimata had actively participated in the works of social reforms and betterment of every section of society. She had good knowledge of Assamese, English, Bengali, Hindi and Chhattisgarhi languages. She was the embodiment of truth, non-violence and love. She was married to Guru Agamdas, the fourth descendant of Gurubaba Ghasidas Ji. After marriage, she came to Chhattisgarh from Assam as Guru Mata, since then she devoted her whole life for the development of this region. After independence, the first election to the Lok Sabha was held in 1951-52. Minimata was a member of the Lok Sabha from 1951 to 1971 as an MP. She was elected the first female MP of Lok Sabha from the Bilaspur-Durg-Raipur reserved seat in undivided Madhya Pradesh. Thereafter, she won Lok Sabha elections four times from Janjgir Lok Sabha constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes in the delimitation.

Baghel released a special cover issued by the Post Department on the occasion of Minimata’s 50th death anniversary.

Urban Administration and Development Department and Labour Minister Dr Shivkumar Dahariya also addressed the programme. The Chief Minister also felicitated the talented students and people of Satnami Samaj for their excellent works and achievements. On this occasion, Raipur Rural MLA Satyanarayan Sharma, Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar, Charoda Mayor Nirmal Kosale and followers of Satnam Panth in large number were present.

This event was organised by Guru Ghasidas Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi and Chhattisgarh Satnami Samaj.