Garba festival is a symbol of our rich cultural tradition and respect for woman power: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister Shri Sai participated in various Garba festivals organized in Raipur, visited Mata's shrines in Durga Puja pandals.
Respect, security and economic empowerment of mothers and sisters is the top priority of our government: Chief Minister
About 68 lakh mothers and sisters are receiving financial assistance of one thousand rupees every month through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, 14 lakh women in the state have become lakhpati didis.
Our commitment is to preserve culture and faith along with development, development of major Devi Shaktipeeths in the state is underway.
Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudeo Sai participated in various Garba festivals and Durga Puja celebrations organized in the capital Raipur. He extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state for Shardiya Navratri and prayed to Mother Adishakti for the happiness, prosperity, peace, and well-being of Chhattisgarh.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Navratri, being a great festival of worship of Mother Durga, the embodiment of power, is also a celebration of our rich cultural traditions, social unity, and respect for woman power. Events like Garba and Durga Puja keep our faith and traditions alive while uniting society with the threads of love, harmony, and brotherhood.
Chief Minister Shri Sai visited the Durga Puja pandals established by the Mananbazaar Public Durga Puja Committee and the Public Shri Shri Durga Puja Committee to have darshan and offer prayers to Mother Durga. He bowed his head at Mother's feet and sought blessings for the welfare of the people of the state and the continuous progress of Chhattisgarh.
Thereafter, Chief Minister Shri Sai attended the 'Ras Garba with Bhajan Dandiya' organized by the respected Chhattisgarh Sindhi Panchayat Yuva Wing at Hukum Lalit Mahal, Ras Garba organized in Rambagh, the 'Sorthi Rang Rangilo' Navratri festival organized by the Shri Dasha Sorathiya Vanik Samaj at Ram Mangalam Lawn, Pachpedi Naka, and the 'Sankalp Garba' organized by the Navratri and Ras Garba Utsav Samiti at BTI Ground, Shankar Nagar. The community members and devotees gave a heartfelt welcome to Chief Minister Shri Sai at various events.
The Chief Minister said that on the auspicious occasion of Navratri, there is an atmosphere of devotion, faith, and joy throughout the country and Chhattisgarh today. Garba is a beautiful medium to express devotion and reverence towards Mother Durga. Garba, which originated from the cultural tradition of Gujarat, has become popular across the country today and is also a symbol of our cultural unity. He said that India's specialty lies in its unity in diversity. Our festivals and celebrations bring together different societies, communities, and generations, inspiring us to stay connected to our roots and culture.
*Navratri: A festival of respect and empowerment of woman power*
Chief Minister Shri Sai congratulated the mothers, sisters, and daughters present in large numbers at the Garba events and said that in Indian culture, women have always been considered the embodiment of power. Navratri reminds us of the respect for woman power, their dignity, and their invaluable contribution to nation-building.
He said that when women are empowered, participate in decision-making, and become economically self-reliant, the entire society, along with the family, becomes empowered. Therefore, the security, respect, and economic self-reliance of mothers and sisters are among the top priorities of the state government.
*Financial support for women through Mahtari Vandan Yojana*
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, financial assistance of one thousand rupees is being directly transferred every month to the bank accounts of about 68 lakh mothers and sisters in the state. With this financial support, women are becoming capable of making decisions for their small and big needs. This assistance is also proving useful in meeting children's education, family needs, and household expenses.
He said that the government's objective is not just to provide financial assistance, but to enhance women's self-confidence and lead them towards self-reliance and prosperity. Today, 14 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become lakhpati didis. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, entrepreneurship, and capability of the state's woman power. The state government is creating new opportunities for economic progress for women through self-help groups, livelihood activities, and various schemes.
*Devi worship is an integral part of Chhattisgarh's cultural identity*
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is the holy land of Mother Kaushalya. It is the land of Mother Dantewari, Mother Bamleshwari, Mother Mahamaya, and Mother Chandrahasi. The glorious tradition of worshipping Adishakti and Devi worship has been prevalent in the state for centuries.
He said that during Navratri, an amazing atmosphere of devotion is seen in the Devi temples and Shaktipeeths of the state, from Dantewada to Dongargarh and Ratanpur to Chandrapur. Lakhs of devotees come to have darshan and seek blessings of Mother. This spiritual and cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh is our invaluable treasure.
Chief Minister said that it is our responsibility to preserve this heritage and connect the new generation to it. Garba, Durga Puja, and other traditional events are powerful mediums to acquaint the new generation with their culture and carry forward traditions.
*Development and Heritage move forward together: Chief Minister*
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward by taking development and heritage together. The Prime Minister has awakened a new sense of pride in the hearts of countrymen towards their culture, traditions, and glorious heritage.
He said that the Chhattisgarh government, with the same spirit, is committed to preserving and promoting its cultural, religious, and spiritual heritage along with the all-round development of the state. Continuous work is being done towards the development of major Devi Shaktipeeths and religious sites in the state, so that better facilities are available to the devotees and these places gain national recognition.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is rapidly establishing new dimensions of development. Our endeavor is that our culture and traditions do not lag behind in the journey of modern development, but rather become the identity and strength of developed Chhattisgarh. This coordination of development and heritage will lead future generations towards a bright future by connecting them to their roots.
*The beat of prosperity's drum is now heard in Bastar: Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap*
Cabinet Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap extended his greetings and best wishes for Shardiya Navratri to the people of the state and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the double-engine government has fought a decisive battle against Naxalism. The result is that Bastar is now entering a new era of peace, trust, and development.
He said that where the sound of gunpowder and bombs was once heard in Bastar, today the beat of prosperity's drum resonates. The changing face of Bastar is a matter of pride and joy for the entire Chhattisgarh. He said that with the establishment of peace, Bastar's rich tribal culture, traditions, and folk life are also getting new recognition.
Participants dressed in traditional attire gave attractive performances of Garba and Dandiya at various Garba events. Amidst devotional songs and traditional music, a large number of citizens enthusiastically shared the joys of the festival. Chief Minister Shri Sai appreciated the efforts of the organizing committees and said that such events are important mediums for strengthening social harmony and carrying forward our cultural heritage from generation to generation.
Chief Minister Shri Sai concluded by praying to Mother Durga for the good health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state, saying that may the grace of Mother Adishakti always remain upon Chhattisgarh and may our state continue to move forward on the path of peace, prosperity, and development.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Shri Khushwant Saheb, MLA Shri Motilal Sahu, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation Shri Sanjay Srivastava, Shri Amit Chimnani and Mahesh Daryani of Sindhi society, Shri Nitin Dholakia of Shri Dasha Sorathiya Vanik Samaj, along with office bearers of various communities, public representatives, members of organizing committees, devotees, and a large number of citizens were present.