CM outlines growth, vision

 

 

 

The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with great dignity at Police Stadium in Bilaspur on Monday. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai unfurled the National Flag, released white doves symbolising peace and tri-colour balloons representing joy and enthusiasm. He received a guard of honour from Police and Home Guard jawans and inspected the parade led by Parade Commander and Trainee IPS officer Anshika Jain. Colourful cultural programs and captivating tableaux depicting the government’s development works enthralled the audience. Paying homage to Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Chief Minister said the Constitution has granted every citizen the freedom of expression. He noted that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee fulfilled the dream of a separate Chhattisgarh state, for which the state remains eternally grateful. Referring to the 125th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda and Tribal Pride Day, he highlighted Chhattisgarh’s history of tribal uprisings and sacrifices, with stories of martyrs being preserved for future generations through the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum. The Chief Minister stated that a well-planned campaign under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah has led many Naxalites to lay down arms and embrace the Constitution. Surrendered individuals receive rehabilitation, housing, and employment, making Bastar increasingly fear-free. He emphasized that post-state formation, farmer prosperity was the biggest challenge; a systematic paddy procurement system now handles 149 lakh metric tons, while GST reforms have benefited farmers and agricultural machinery traders. In two years, over 29 lakh laborers have received more than Rs 800 crore in assistance through various schemes. Approximately 2,000 new houses are being constructed daily in the state, with tiled roofs and long power cuts becoming relics of the past. Through the Super Thermal Power Project in Sipat and solar energy schemes, Chhattisgarh is achieving self-reliance in energy. Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, 70 lakh women receive Rs 1,000 monthly; over Rs 14,000 crore has been transferred in 23 instalments. The state is launching 9,000 smart classes, with the new education policy enabling learning in local languages. Alongside 15 sanctioned medical colleges, Naya Raipur is emerging as an Edu-City with IIT-like technical institutions and NIFT equivalents. Efforts are underway to connect over 50,000 students with startups. Sports infrastructure is being developed on a mission mode, with over 3 lakh players participating in this year’s Bastar Olympics. Land has been identified for an archery academy to help state athletes win Olympic glory. The new industrial policy promotes a single-window system and ease of doing business, with investment conferences held in Japan and South Korea. Naya Raipur is positioning itself as a semiconductor and pharma hub. In road, transport, and tourism sectors, an expressway to Visakhapatnam is under construction, the Indravati and Mahanadi rivers will be linked, and remote areas will gain connectivity via the Chief Minister’s Bus Scheme. Tourism is reviving in Bastar, the ‘paradise on earth,’ highlighted by the successful Bastar Pandum festival. On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured families of soldiers martyred in Naxal violence, as well as officers, employees, and eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions. Thirteen platoons presented an impressive parade under the Parade Commander. In the senior category, the 2nd Battalion Armed Police Force, Sakri, took first place, followed by the Home Guard Women’s Force in second. In the junior category, the Senior Boys NCC secured first, with Senior Girls NCC and Junior Girls NCC taking second and third. School children presented vibrant cultural events. Government Higher Secondary School, Sirgitti, won first prize, while Andhra Samaj Higher Secondary School and SAEMS (Swami Atmanand English Medium School), Tifra, secured second and third. Mass PT, Zumba workouts, and performances by National Convent Bharti Nagar School were also commendable. Twenty-one departments presented tableaux on flagship schemes and achievements. The Police Department won first, Central Jail Bilaspur second, and District Panchayat Bilaspur third. The tableaux paraded through the city post-ceremony to spread awareness of government initiatives. Dignitaries present included MLAs Amar Agrawal, Dharamjit Singh, Dharamlal Kaushik, and Sushant Shukla; Mayor Pooja Vidhani; Textbook Corporation Chairman Raja Pandey; CREDA Chairman Bhupendra Savani; Zila Panchayat Chairman Rajesh Suryavanshi; Divisional Commissioner Sunil Jain; IG Ramgopal Garg; District Collector Sanjay Agrawal; SSP Rajneesh Singh; BMC Commissioner Prakash Kumar Sarve; Zila Panchayat CEO Sandeep Agrawal; ADM Shiv Kumar Banerjee; other public representatives; and senior officials.