From the view point of public awakening both in the country and the society, ‘Yatras’ hold special importance, but the organisation of the Vikas Yatra in the tribal-dominated State of Chhattisgarh is indeed a matter of pride, said former prime minister and senior BJP leader lal Krishna Advani here on Monday and added that there are certain parts of this country with which he has special attachment and Chhattisgarh is one of them.
After taking the blessings of Goddess Danteshwari, the BJP veteran Advani flagged off the state wide Vikas Yatra of 6,100 km at a grand function here in afternoon.
The ‘Yatra’ has been taken out in the leadership of chief minister Dr Raman Singh will conclude on June 20. On this occasion, the former prime minister also addressed a mammoth public gathering at Dantewada High School Ground in which dedication and bhumi pujan ceremonies of different development projects worth `81 crore were performed. These comprised dedication of the completed works worth `33 crore 30 lakh while bhumi pujan was performed of the projects worth `47 crore
58 lakh.
On this occasion, under different welfare schemes, beneficiaries were also distributed sops, both in cash and kind, worth `10 crore which also included paddy bonus to farmers and encouragement/wage amount to tendu leaf collectors. Advani also launched the website of the Vikas Yatra on this occasion. Addressing the massive gathering in Dantewada which is known as a Maoist stronghold for about three decades, Advani said that he was very happy to see that under the leadership of Dr Raman Singh Chhattisgarh was taking rapid strides on the path of development.
Recalling his role in the creation of Chhattisgarh as the union home minister in Vajpayee government which facilitated the creation of the new state, Advani said the pious land of Chhattisgarh is unforgettable for him. “During the last decade, under the dynamic leadership of Raman Singh Chhattisgarh government has started a number of welfare schemes for the betterment of common man specially Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the poorest of the poor section of the society,’’ Advani remarked amidst clapping by the massive tribal gathering.
Telling people about welfare schemes and ensuring that benefits of these schemes reach maximum number of people through Vikas Yatra is indeed a commendable effort as the 6100 km Yatra taken out in the leadership of Raman Singh will pass through 81 Assembly constituencies of the state out of 90 during its 31 days sojourn, Advani said and expressed the hope that the Yatra would give fresh momentum to development in the state.
Addressing the public meeting Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh expressed gratitude to Advani on behalf of 2.55 crore people of Chhattisgarh for gracing the occasion and said that the former prime minister has had vast experience in knowing the people of this country closely through organising cross country ‘Yatras’ after the independence of the country.
A number of ministers, MlAs, Parliamentarians and thousands of people also attended the function marking the commencement of the state wide Yatra.