Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh announced on Sunday that October 31, which is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will be observed as ‘Shakti Divas’ in the State.
The village panchayats achieving the target of free from defecation in open will be honoured on this day at the district level, he said in his ‘Raman Ke Goth’ Radio Talk Show started by the State Government where the Chief Minister speaks to the people of the State, officials stated.
The second episode under this programme series was broadcast on Sunday. This programme is scheduled to be held on every second Sunday of the month. The Chief Minister spoke about fairs, festivals and ritual observances in Chhattisgarh. As in his first episode of broadcast, the Chief Minister again extended his greetings to the people of State for the forthcoming festivals.
Going down the memory lane the Chief Minister elaborated on the rituals being observed during Pitar-Pakh, the fortnight for forefathers worshiped in Chhattisgarh.
He spoke in details that the Pitars are invited in respective house for a fortnight . The first day of Pitar-Pakh is called Pitar Baithaka.
Singh also mentioned that for this fortnight, the traditional Chhattisgarhi cuisine like Bara, Babra and Sohari are specially offered as food to the Pitars. Remembering the great children of Chhattisgarh, who have made immense contribution for this land, he paid tributes to them, by saying main o jammo jhan ke paanv parat hav to these great persons of Chhattisgarh.
Singh made a detailed mention of the Navaratri and Dassara festival including the Bastar Dassara, and extended his greetings. While saying that from today the people of the State shall be celebrating Navratri for nine days by worshipping Maa Durga with jot, jawara and mata sewa. He categorically emphasized that Chhattisgarh is a worshiper of ‘Shakti’, which is evident from the shrines of Maa Durga in various names throughout the State. The worship of ‘Shakti’ has made the people of Chhattisgarh simple natured, honest but beholder of self-pride, he said.
Singh made mention of his childhood memory and shared with the listeners that how he used to go with his father for ‘Ravan Dahan’ (burning of Ravan’s effigy) dressed in new clothing and shoes. Mentioning the 75-day long Bastar Dassara as the longest duration festival in the world, he said that Dussera is not just a festival based on religious or mythological belief, it is also a celebration of the victory of good over the evil.
He further appealed to the people of the State that let us all resolve for creation of a Chhattisgarh, as a land of prosperity, peace, love, brotherhood, and affection for one and all. Based on the letters received from the listeners from various parts of the State, the Chief Minister prepared the first segment of this talk show, in which he extended his gratitude to the listeners and gave reply of couple of selected letters from them.
Speaking on the letter received from one Kamlesh Singh from Ambikapur, Singh replied that his government has sent proposal to the Central Government for laying Railway line from Ambikapur to Baruadih in Jharkhand. He also made mention of the development of road infrastructure in Surguja with special mention of National Highway 78.
The Chief Minister informed that this NH between Katni to Gumla will run for 353 kilometers in Chhattisgarh.
He also said that Rs105 crore have been received for work for road between Ambikapur to Jashpur. Replying to letter received from Dinesh Verma from Charama, Singh expressed his pleasure that he has expressed concern for the safety of archaeological heritage in Kanker district. The Chief Minister said that Government is aware about the pre-historic rock paintings made by the cave dwellers more than 10,000 years back, are present in deep and remote forests of Kanker, the Directorate of Archaeology of the State has been instructed for initiating necessary action in this regard.
He further added that the State Government is carrying out efforts for safeguard and conservation of the archaeological wealth spread throughout the State. However, this could be achieved in a better way if the people show their awareness and contribute for this. Singh gave information on a few schemes launched for the welfare of the people of the State, Under this one of the important information was related to the drought situation in the State.
He said that 93 tehsils in the State have been declared drought-affected Tehsils, in which recovery of the revenue has been stopped till further orders, farmers will be given diesel grant up to a maximum of Rs4000, Rs22.68 crore has been approved for providing electric connections to the farmers. Singh also assured the people of the State that elaborate arrangement have been made to tackle the situation arising due to scanty rain this year in the state. Employment generating schemes would be opened throughout the State that people earn for their livelihood in his close proximity, and no one has to migrate to other places for employment, and also that no situation of starvation will arise in the State because the government has made arrangement for this purpose also.
The Chief Minister also mentioned about Pradhan Mantri Mudra Bank Yojana, and explained that through this scheme small venders will also be benefitted who can get loan from Rs50,000 to Rs10 lakh, for which otherwise small businessman were compelled to raise loan from open market on very high interest rate.
He further informed that mega credit camps were organized on October 2 at different places in the state. Under this scheme a target of giving loan of Rs1307 crore to more than Rs3.60 lakh people in the durtion of coming 6 months has been fixed.
The Chief Minister informed the people of the State that health and education occupy his top priorities. Only healthy children can make a healthy state. Emphasizing upon the slogan “Healthy Chhattisgarh-Clean India”, the State has initiated the National Child Programme. He also informed the people of the State that Chhattisgarh is among the top six states in implementation of National Cleanliness Scheme in the country. Speaking about implementation of Chirayu Scheme in the state the Chief Minister said that so far health check up of 56.87 lakh school children have been completed. Continuing on this matter he further informed that target of free health check up and required medication of to 60 lakh school children has been fixed for this year for which 292 mobile medical units have been provided to 146 development blocks of the state.
At the end of the talk show Singh informed that due to the situation of drought in the State the government has decided to avoid glittery and expensive celebration of the State’s Foundation Day this year, therefore the Rajyotsav will be organized for one day only in the State capital where in only State Awards will be given. Meanwhile, arrangements for broadcasting the second episode of ‘Raman Ke Goth’ from All India Radio, (AIR) Raipur were made in the 28 jails of the State on Sunday.
As many as 3000 inmates of Central Jail, Raipur including prisoners and under trials heard the Chief Minister’s Radio Talk. Each barrack of the jail was provided with a radio set, television set and loudspeaker. Applauding the initiative taken by Singh, the inmates felt fortunate listening to the programme. The Chief Minister highlighted on the benefits government schemes including health, sanitation, education and employment opportunities. Jail Superintendent RR Rai and Welfare Inspector Nilesh Pandey were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a group of drivers under the banner Jan Kalyan Auto Chalak Sangh tuned in the programme at Raipur Railway Station through loudspeaker. lalaram, the Secretary of the Sangh said Raman Ke Goth is a better way of establishing connection with the residents of far slung regions.
Akhilesh Pandey hailing from Madhya Pradesh who was here listening the programme appreciated Chhattisgarh government’s effort over the Chirayu Yojana meant for free health screening of children. At Mungeli, villagers of various Gram Panchayats were keen to listen to the broadcast.