Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday said that President Droupadi Murmu’s proposed visit to Bastar would be a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh. Responding to questions from journalists, he said we had invited her to visit Bastar. Representatives of the Bastar Manjhi-Chalki community had also requested her to visit the region during an earlier meeting, and she had graciously accepted their invitation. Murmu is scheduled to visit Chhattisgarh on October 22 and 23. On October 23, she will travel to Jagdalpur to attend the Muria Darbar. Sai said that her visit would be a proud occasion for the people of Bastar and State as a whole. Referring to a camp organised in Dantewada to distribute assistive devices to persons with disabilities, including those affected by Naxal violence, the Chief Minister said Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah had addressed the gathering through video conferencing.

 

He said that the State Government is committed to providing all possible assistance to people affected by Naxal violence, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence. Speaking about Chhattisgarh hosting an international women’s cricket match for the first time, Sai said it is a matter of great joy for State. The match between the women’s teams of India and Zimbabwe will give local spectators an opportunity to watch international cricket, with free entry for women. He said the initiative would allow women and girls to cheer for the players and draw inspiration from their achievements. October 22 and 23, attending a series of programmes in Raipur and Jagdalpur, according to the scheduled itinerary.

 

On October 22, the President will release a commemorative coin of Rs 200 denomination in honour of Pujya Mata Hasi Devi Ji at Lok Bhavan in Raipur at 12:45 p.m. Later, at 4 p.m., she will attend the ‘Seva Samman Parv’ and ‘Yuva Probodhan’ programme as the Chief Guest, organised on the occasion of the Nuakhai festival at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Budhapara, Raipur. On October 23, the President’s engagements will begin with prayers at Mata Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur at 11 a.m. She will subsequently attend a public programme marking Muria Darbar and Bastar Dussehra in Jagdalpur at 12:45 p.m. The two-day visit will take the President to key venues in the state capital and the Bastar region for a series of ceremonial, cultural and public engagements.