nFollowing the tradition of the folk festival Chherchhera Punni, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel went around on Thursday asking for donations of Chherchera Punni at the old bus stand in Kanker town.
Women welcomed Baghel with 'tilak' and presented him rice, laddus and fruits. He was weighed with paddy during the Chherchhera celebration.
Baghel extended heartiest greetings of the festival to the people and said that Chherchhera Punni Tihar is celebrated on the full moon of Pausha month to celebrate the new harvest and to encourage generosity.
The Chief Minister explained that children, youth, farmers, labourers and women go door-to-door asking for donations on this occasion.
The festival promotes a sense of equality as rich and poor come together to follow the tradition of collecting paddy, money and other goods as donation from all the households which are later used for development works in the village.
The Chief Minister said that despite the challenges this year, the government procured 89 lakh tonnes of paddy so far. This year, a new record of paddy procurement will be made.
Minister in charge of Village Industries and Kanker district Guru Rudra Kumar, Industries Minister Kavasi Lakhma, Deputy Speaker Manoj Mandavi, Parliamentary Secretaries Shishupal Sori and MLAs Mohan Markam and Santram Netam were present with Baghel.