Chief Minister Pays Tribute to Martyrs at ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’
Welfare and Dignity of Martyrs’ Families Remain a Top Priority; Chhattisgarh Government Stands Firmly with Them in Every Circumstance
Campaign Against Naxalism Achieved Decisive Success Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Leadership and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah’s Guidance: Chief Minister
Moving Beyond Decades of Fear and Violence, Bastar Is Building a New Identity Rooted in Peace, Trust and Development
Building the Peaceful, Safe and Developed Bastar Envisioned by the Martyrs Is the True Tribute to Them: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the courage, sacrifice and dedication of the security personnel who laid down their lives for peace in Bastar and the safety of future generations would always be remembered.
He said the personnel had not merely fought against Naxalism but had laid the foundation for a new era of peace, security and prosperity in Bastar through their sacrifice.
The new dawn of peace and trust visible in the region today stands on the extraordinary courage of security forces and the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs. Chief Minister Shri Sai was addressing ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’, organised by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, in Raipur. The programme was held under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, marking the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s public service. On the occasion, Shri Sai paid tribute to 50 martyrs who laid down their lives for peace and security in Bastar and honoured their family members.
Expressing deep sympathy and gratitude towards the bereaved families, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the pain of losing a loved one could not be expressed in words. When a soldier is martyred while protecting the country and society, a mother loses her son, a wife loses her life partner, and children lose the shelter and support of their father. Although such an irreparable loss can never be compensated for, the people of Chhattisgarh will always remain grateful to their brave sons and their families.
Addressing the families, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that their loved ones, who made the supreme sacrifice, were not merely members of their own households but were a source of pride for the entire state and the nation. Through their lives, they had set an example of courage, dedication to duty and national service that future generations would remember with pride and respect.
Government Stands Firmly with Martyrs’ Families in Every Circumstance
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the honour, security and welfare of martyrs’ families remains one of the highest priorities of the state government. Looking after the families of personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of the motherland and society is the responsibility of the government, he said. The state government shares their joys and sorrows with sensitivity and will continue to stand firmly beside them in every circumstance. He said that the families of martyrs are not merely recipients of assistance but are part of the government’s own extended family. Respecting them and addressing their needs is a collective responsibility.
Decisive Campaign Against Naxalism Under the Leadership of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Central and state governments had pursued a determined and coordinated campaign to eliminate Naxalism under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah. Security forces worked with complete commitment towards the March 31, 2026, target set by the Union Home Minister. He noted that confronting Naxalism, which had established deep roots in Bastar over four decades, had been an exceptionally difficult task. Operating amid dense forests, inaccessible hills and challenging geographical conditions, security personnel had demonstrated extraordinary courage. Coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments, security strategies and the determination of the personnel had brought decisive success to the campaign against Naxalism.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Shri Sai said that their leadership and guidance has opened the way for lasting peace and development in Bastar. The real heroes of this transformation are the security personnel, who never compromised on their duty or commitment to national service, even under the most difficult circumstances.
Bastar Endured Four Decades of Violence
Chief Minister further said that Bastar was known across the world for its rich tribal culture, proud traditions, remarkable natural beauty and simple, welcoming way of life. Unfortunately, the region had endured the impact of Naxal violence for four decades. Thousands of families had been affected, many children had grown up amid fear and insecurity, and people in remote areas had struggled for years to access basic amenities such as education, healthcare, roads and electricity.
During this difficult period, security personnel stood firmly to protect the people of Bastar. Living hundreds of kilometres away from their families, they faced challenges in forests and inaccessible areas. Many brave personnel were martyred in the line of duty, but their sacrifice strengthened the resolve of their fellow soldiers.
Chief Minister paid tribute to personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Central Reserve Police Force and all other security forces involved in the campaign against Naxalism. He said that the entire state is proud of their courage and dedication.
Bastar Is Building a New Identity of Peace, Trust and Development
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that as peace takes root through the courage and sacrifice of security personnel, new avenues of development and prosperity are opening up in Bastar. Areas that once experienced fear and violence are now witnessing road construction, expansion of electricity access, development of schools and healthcare facilities, and the delivery of government schemes to villages in remote locations. He said the state government’s Niyad Nella Nar scheme was taking public welfare schemes and basic amenities to remote villages that had remained deprived of development for a long time. The government is committed to ensuring that no village or family in Bastar is left outside the mainstream of development. Chief Minister said that children in Bastar are advancing in education, while young people are gaining new opportunities in sports, skill development and employment. Events such as the Bastar Olympics are bringing sporting talent from villages into the spotlight, while Bastar Pandum is giving renewed recognition to the region’s rich tribal culture, art and traditions. He said that Bastar’s identity is increasingly be defined not by fear and violence, but by its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, talented youth, tourism and immense development potential. The government’s resolve is to ensure that every young person in Bastar has access to opportunities and every family benefits from development and prosperity.
Building the Bastar Envisioned by the Martyrs Is a Collective Responsibility
Chief Minister said that the positive transformation visible in Bastar today rested on the sacrifice of the security personnel who laid down their lives. They had made the supreme sacrifice not only to protect people in the present but also to secure a brighter and safer future for generations to come.
He said that building a peaceful, safe, prosperous and developed Bastar in keeping with the martyrs’ dreams is a collective responsibility. Everyone must ensure that the peace for which the personnel made the ultimate sacrifice remains permanent and that the benefits of development and prosperity reach every family in the region.
Shri Sai also emphasised the importance of familiarising the younger generation with the lives, struggles and sacrifices of the brave personnel. The lives of those who laid down their lives to protect the nation and society would continue to inspire patriotism, a strong sense of duty and the spirit of service among young people.
Chief Minister Appreciates The Hindu Foundation’s Initiative
Chief Minister Shri Sai appreciated The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, for organising the programme, describing the initiative to honour and express solidarity with martyrs’ families as an inspiration to society. He noted that the Foundation has travelled across the country and made efforts to reach more than 800 martyrs’ families. This, he said, is a powerful expression of society’s gratitude to families whose loved ones had sacrificed their lives for the security of the nation and society.
He said that Shauryanjali is not merely an occasion to pay tribute to the martyrs, but also an opportunity to resolve to fulfil their unfinished dreams and carry forward their ideals. Paying his heartfelt respects to all the martyrs, Chief Minister Shri Sai said their sacrifices would never go in vain. The new dawn of peace in Bastar, made possible by their courage and sacrifice, must now be transformed into lasting development and prosperity. He reaffirmed the resolve to work together to build a peaceful, safe, prosperous and developed Bastar, as envisioned by the brave personnel. This, he said, would be the truest tribute to the immortal martyrs.
Those present on the occasion included Shri Sandeep Gupta, coordinator of The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur; Shri Rajendra Singh Diwan, a descendant of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh; family members of martyrs; public representatives; and other distinguished guests.