THE Chief Minister’s chair gave way to the farmer’s field on Monday morning as Vishnu Deo Sai returned to his roots in Bagiya, his native village in Jashpur district. Before the day’s official engagements began, the Chief Minister stepped into a lush green field, took hold of the plough and, alongside a pair of bullocks, carried out the traditional agricultural practice of biyasi. For Vishnu Deo Sai, it was more than a return to the fields. The familiar feel of the plough in his hands brought back memories of his childhood and his close association with farming. Working amid the fields, he said that the joy of being connected with one’s village and land was unique, adding that time spent in the countryside brought him peace as well as renewed energy. Coming from a farming family, Sai said agriculture had been an integral part of his life from an early age. “For me, farming is not merely a means of livelihood, but a way of life,” he said, adding that rural life had taught him to respect labour, live in harmony with nature and remain grounded in his values. The Chief Minister said agriculture was central to Chhattisgarh’s identity, economy and social fabric.

 

The State’s rich agricultural traditions have evolved alongside its villages, festivals and customs, while generations of farmers have contributed through their hard work to the State’s prosperity. He stressed that modernisation should not mean losing touch with traditional practices and one’s roots. Farming, he said, teaches patience, hard work and respect for nature. A farmer does more than produce food; his labour sustains society and makes a vital contribution to the State’s economy. Sai said the agricultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and the dedication of its farmers remained particularly close to his heart. The well-being of farmers and the prosperity of agriculture, he said, were fundamental to the State’s overall progress. Paying tribute to the State’s farmers, the Chief Minister wished them prosperity and happiness, along with a plentiful harvest. Notably, Sai has maintained a close association with rural life and agriculture throughout his life. Despite the demands of public office, he continues to cherish opportunities to return to his village and reconnect with its countryside. His early-morning appearance in the fields of Bagiya, ploughing alongside bullocks, offered a glimpse of that enduring connection,a Chief Minister temporarily setting aside the trappings of office to return to the familiar rhythms of village life.