Nuakhai Celebrates Our Agricultural Culture, the Hard Work of Farmers and Gratitude Towards Nature: Chief Minister
Our Government Is Committed to Ensuring Development Schemes Reach the Last Person Through Good Governance: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Kelo Project to Bring Irrigation Water to Farmers’ Fields in the Region; Expansion of Irrigation Facilities to Strengthen Agriculture
Chief Minister Announces Community Buildings Worth Rs. 80 Lakh at Kolta Community’s Nuakhai Bhetghat and Talent Felicitation Ceremony
Community Buildings to Be Constructed at Chandi Dongri in Kotarliya Village at a Cost of Rs. 30 Lakh and in Pusaur Nagar Panchayat at Rs. 50 Lakh
Chief Minister Honours Meritorious Students, Urges Youth to Excel Through Education and Talent and Bring Glory to the State and Society
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the welfare and prosperity of farmers remain the highest priority of the state government. Farmers are at the heart of Chhattisgarh’s economy and culture. The state government is continuously working to increase farmers’ incomes, expand irrigation facilities and make agriculture more profitable. Our endeavour is to ensure that the benefits of development schemes reach the last person through good governance and public service, enabling every family in Chhattisgarh to participate in the state’s development journey.
Chief Minister Shri Sai was addressing the Nuakhai Bhetghat and Talent Felicitation Ceremony organised by the Kolta community at Shaheed Colonel Viplav Tripathi Stadium in Raigarh today. Members of the community accorded him a warm traditional welcome by presenting him with a ceremonial garland. The Chief Minister also performed rituals and offered prayers to Maa Raneswari Ramchandi, praying for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people of the state.
Keeping the community’s needs in mind, Chief Minister Shri Sai announced Rs. 30 lakh for the construction of a well-equipped community building at Chandi Dongri in Kotarliya village and Rs. 50 lakh for the construction of a Mangal Bhawan for the Kolta community in Pusaur Nagar Panchayat. He also announced the construction of a boundary wall.
Nuakhai Celebrates Farmers’ Hard Work and the Joy of the New Harvest
Extending his greetings on Nuakhai to the Kolta community and all the people of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Nuakhai is an important festival deeply rooted in the state’s rich agricultural culture. It celebrates the arrival of the new harvest, honours the hard work of farmers and expresses gratitude towards nature. Such festivals keep traditions alive and connect the younger generation with its culture and roots.
He said that Chhattisgarh is an agrarian state and the government is committed to strengthening the economic condition of farmers. The government is consistently working to ensure that farmers receive fair returns for their hard work, cultivation costs are reduced, irrigation facilities are expanded and agriculture brings greater prosperity to farming families.
The Chief Minister said that work on the Kelo Project had been initiated to bring irrigation water to farmers’ fields in the Raigarh region. The project would prove to be a boon for farmers in the area. The expansion of irrigation facilities would increase agricultural productivity and strengthen farmers’ financial position.
He added that new projects worth more than Rs. 10,000 crore had been launched to accelerate development across the state. The government aims to ensure that infrastructure development directly benefits ordinary citizens, farmers, youth and the local economy.
Dream of a Permanent Home for Low-income Families Becoming a Reality
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the dream of a permanent home for low-income families was being realised at a rapid pace. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, approximately 1,600 houses are being constructed every day in Chhattisgarh.
He said that a permanent home is not merely four walls and a roof; it represents dignity, security and the foundation of a better future for poor families. The government is committed to ensuring that no eligible and needy family is deprived of a permanent home.
Good Governance, Transparency and Public Service Form the Government’s Work Culture
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government had made good governance, transparency and public service the foundation of its working culture. Technology and modern systems were being adopted to ensure that citizens did not have to run from pillar to post to resolve their grievances and could access government services more easily.
He said that initiatives such as the Department of Good Governance and Convergence, the Chief Minister’s Helpline, Seva Setu and Atal Digital Service Centres had been introduced to ensure the prompt and time-bound resolution of public grievances. The Chief Minister’s Helpline provides a mechanism for addressing citizens’ complaints within stipulated timeframes.
The Chief Minister said that, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s guarantees, the state government had fulfilled most of its promises during its first two-and-a-half years in office. Government schemes become meaningful only when their benefits reach those in need on time. Therefore, the government’s priority is to ensure that schemes and services reach the last person.
Historic Success in the Fight Against Naxalism; Chhattisgarh Embarks on a New Development Journey
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the state had achieved historic success in its efforts to eliminate Naxalism. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and with the firm resolve of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the courage of the brave security forces and the cooperation of local people had helped create a new atmosphere of peace and trust in Bastar.
He said that people associated with Naxalism were being given opportunities to abandon violence and return to the mainstream of society. A total of 15,000 houses had been sanctioned for the rehabilitation of surrendered Naxals. The objective was to establish peace, rehabilitate affected families and provide them with opportunities to live with dignity.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that, having moved beyond the challenge of Naxalism, Chhattisgarh was building a new identity based on development, trust and prosperity. The government was committed to bringing every region of the state, including Bastar, into the mainstream of development.
The Chief Minister felicitated meritorious students from the community at the ceremony and wished them a bright future. He said that education was the most powerful means of progress for individuals, families and society. With hard work, talent and modern education, today’s youth could achieve success in any field.
Urging students to dream big and work diligently to fulfil their aspirations, he said that young people should use their talents to bring recognition to their families, society and Chhattisgarh across the country and the world.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the community’s tradition of honouring meritorious students, saying that it inspired children and young people to perform better and fostered a positive environment for education within society.
Culture and Values of the Kolta Community Are Exemplary: Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary
Finance Minister and Raigarh MLA Shri O.P. Choudhary extended his greetings on Nuakhai and said that members of the Kolta community, from Pusaur and Sariya to Tamnar, Lailunga and Dharamjaigarh, were widely recognised for their honesty, amiability, hard work and strong values. The community’s rich culture and traditions served as an inspiration to all.
He said that collective efforts were needed to help the younger generation advance in education, employment, entrepreneurship and competitive examinations. Young people should set ambitious goals and work hard to achieve them.
Finance Minister Shri Choudhary expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai for the development works being undertaken in the Raigarh region. He said that facilities such as the lift irrigation project at Sakra, registration offices in Pusaur and Sariya, a 100-bed hospital, a nursing college and the Nalanda Campus were giving fresh impetus to regional development.
The Finance Minister also announced Rs. 25 lakh from his MLA fund for the construction of a community building at Belariya.
Society Should Progress Through Education and Values
Lok Sabha MP Shri Radheshyam Rathiya extended his greetings on Nuakhai and said that the Kolta community had always remained committed to social upliftment and community unity. He urged members of the community to preserve their cultural traditions and heritage while continuing to progress towards development.
Rajya Sabha MP Shri Devendra Pratap Singh said that education played the most important role in the progress of any society. He urged parents to provide their children with quality education and strong moral values. He also encouraged children to develop respect for their parents and elders and called upon the community to progress together by supporting weaker and needy sections of society.
Meritorious students from the community were felicitated during the ceremony. Chief Minister Shri Sai also partook in the traditional Nuakhai feast with community leaders, public representatives and members of the community.
The event conveyed a message of preserving cultural heritage, promoting education, strengthening social unity and accelerating regional development.
Mayor Shri Jivardhan Chauhan, Zila Panchayat Vice-President Shri Deepak Sidar, Shri Arundhar Diwan, Shri Gurupal Bhalla, Shri Subhash Pandey, Shri Shrikant Somawar, Shri Satyanand Rathia, Shri Vikas Kedia, along with community office-bearers, local public representatives, distinguished citizens and a large number of members of the Kolta community, were present on the occasion.