Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said that his government was making consistent efforts to preserve the tribal art, culture, tradition and heritage.
“Unity in diversity is our strength and identity,” Baghel said while presiding over the inaugural function of the National Tribal Dance Festival in the state capital, Raipur.
He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had told him that a government should be people's government, where every citizen should feel included and acknowledged.
“Under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, our government is wiping the tears of every section of society. We have won the trust of farmers as we have returned the lands to tribal people of Lohandiguda. Haat-Bazaar Clinic has been started for their healthcare. As a result of our government's efforts, peace and harmony have been established in Chhattisgarh,” the Chief Minister claimed.
In the presence Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister pledged to reduce the poverty rate in Dantewada district to below national average. Presently, in Dantewada district, 60% people are below poverty line, whereas national average is 22%.
Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues took the pledge to reduce this percentage to below 22% in four years, so that Dantewada district could get rid of the tag of most backward district.
Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several initiatives to preserve the rich cultural traditions of Devgudi, Ghotul. “We have confidence in our Constitution. We are determined to provide tribal people, backward, poor people and women their constitutional rights,” he said.
Culture Minister Amarjeet Bhagat proposed vote of thanks on the occasion.
Chief Guest Rahul Gandhi also released the new calendar of year 2020 of Chhattisgarh Government based on 'Gandbo Nava Chhattisgarh' theme at the main stage of the National Tribal Dance Festival.
The calendar also has lyrics of the State Song of Chhattisgarh.
On the occasion, Mission Chief of United Nation in India Renta Lok Desalian, former Lok Sabha speaker Meera Kumar, former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuriya, and Bhakt Charandas, several other dignitaries such as BK Hariprasad, PL Puniya, Chandan Yadav, Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Dr Charandas Mahant, Deputy Speaker Manoj Mandawi and all the cabinet ministers, MLAs, MPs and folk artistes from various countries and the states of India and a large number of local citizens were present.