- Chief Minister Shri Sai pays tribute to the immortal martyrs at the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ event
- Through their indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice, the martyred soldiers have laid the foundation for a secure future for the coming generations of Bastar
- Honoring and ensuring the welfare of the families of the martyrs is our top priority; the Government of Chhattisgarh stands firmly by their side through all of life’s joys and sorrows
- Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the campaign against Naxalism has achieved decisive success: Chief Minister
- Moving beyond a long era of fear and violence, Bastar is now forging a new identity defined by peace, trust, and development
- Realizing the vision of a peaceful, secure, and developed Bastar—as dreamed of by the martyrs—is the truest tribute to them: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the valor, sacrifice, and dedication of our brave soldiers—who made the supreme sacrifice of their lives to establish peace in Bastar and secure a safe future for generations to come—will always be remembered. Our soldiers did not merely fight against Naxalism; through their blood and sacrifice, they laid the foundation for a new era of peace, security, and prosperity in Bastar. The new dawn of peace and trust visible in Bastar today is the result of the indomitable courage of our security forces and the supreme sacrifice of our immortal martyrs.
Chief Minister Shri Sai was addressing the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ event, organized by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, in the capital, Raipur, today. The event was held as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Service Resolution Campaign)—an initiative marking the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s service to the nation. During the program, the Chief Minister paid tribute to 50 immortal martyrs who laid down their lives for peace and security in Bastar, and honored their family members. Expressing his deepest condolences and gratitude to the families of the martyrs, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the pain of losing a loved one cannot be captured in words. When a soldier is martyred while defending the nation and society, a mother loses her son, a wife loses her life partner, and children lose the protective presence of their father. While this irreparable loss can never be compensated, the entire state of Chhattisgarh will forever remain indebted to its brave sons and their families.
He assured the families that their loved ones were not merely members of their own families; they are the pride of the entire state of Chhattisgarh and the nation. Through their lives, they set an exemplary standard of courage, devotion to duty, and service to the nation—a legacy that future generations will remember with pride and honor.
- The government stands with the families of the martyrs through all their joys and sorrows.
Chief Minister Shri Sai emphasized that the respect, security, and welfare of the martyrs’ families are among the top priorities of the state government. It is the government’s duty to look after the families of those soldiers who sacrificed everything for the protection of the motherland and society. The state government shares in the joys and sorrows of these families with the utmost sensitivity and will continue to stand firmly by their side in every circumstance.
He added that the families of the martyrs are not just recipients of assistance; they are, in fact, our own family. It is our collective responsibility to honor them and attend to their needs.
- A decisive campaign against Naxalism under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah, the central and state governments have launched a campaign to completely eradicate Naxalism, driven by firm resolve and excellent coordination. Security forces have been working with complete commitment toward the target set by the Union Home Minister—to eliminate the menace by March 31, 2026.
He noted that the struggle against Naxalism—which had taken deep root in the Bastar region over four decades—was by no means an easy task. Amidst dense forests, rugged hills, and challenging geographical conditions, our security personnel demonstrated unprecedented courage. The coordinated efforts of the central and state governments, the strategic approach of the security forces, and the indomitable valor of our personnel have led to a decisive success in the campaign against Naxalism.
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the Chief Minister stated that their leadership and guidance have paved the way for lasting peace and development in Bastar. The true heroes of this transformation are our security personnel, who, even in the most arduous circumstances, never wavered in their commitment to duty and service to the nation.
- Bastar endured the scourge of violence for four decades.
Chief Minister Shri Sai noted that Bastar is globally recognized for its rich tribal culture, glorious traditions, stunning natural beauty, and simple, authentic way of life. Unfortunately, for four decades, this beautiful region had to endure the scourge of Naxalite violence. Thousands of families were affected by this violence. Many children spent their childhoods living in fear and insecurity, while people in remote areas struggled for a long time just to access basic amenities such as education, healthcare, roads, and electricity.
He added that throughout this difficult period, our security personnel stood like a rock to ensure the safety of the people of Bastar.Living hundreds of kilometers away from their homes, they faced every challenge in forests and rugged, inaccessible terrains. Many brave soldiers were martyred while performing their duties, yet their sacrifices only served to further strengthen the resolve of their comrades.
Chief Minister Shri Sai paid tribute to the valor and dedication of the personnel from all security forces involved in the operations against Naxalism—including the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)—stating that the entire state of Chhattisgarh takes pride in their courage and heroism.
- Bastar is now forging a new identity defined by peace, trust, and development.
Chief Minister Shri Sai noted that the peace established through the courage and sacrifices of the security forces is now opening new doors to development and prosperity in Bastar. In areas once gripped by an atmosphere of fear and violence, roads are now being constructed, electricity is reaching communities, schools and healthcare facilities are being developed, and government schemes are extending to the most remote villages.
He mentioned that through the state government’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, public welfare programs and essential infrastructure are being delivered to remote villages that had long been deprived of development. The government is committed to ensuring that no village or family in Bastar remains excluded from the mainstream of development.
The Chief Minister highlighted that children in Bastar are now advancing in education, while the youth are gaining new opportunities in sports, skill development, and employment. Events like the ‘Bastar Olympics’ are bringing local sporting talent to the forefront, and ‘Bastar Pandum’ is providing a renewed identity to the region’s rich tribal culture, art, and traditions.
He emphasized that Bastar will no longer be defined by fear and violence; instead, its identity will be strengthened by its rich culture, natural beauty, talented youth, tourism, and immense potential for development. It is our firm resolve that every young person in Bastar should have access to opportunities, and that development and prosperity should reach the lives of every family. Building a Bastar That Reflects the Dreams of Our Martyrs Is Our Collective Responsibility
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the foundation of the positive changes currently visible in Bastar rests upon the sacrifices and martyrdom of our brave soldiers. They laid down their lives not merely for the security of the present, but to ensure a bright and secure future for generations to come.
He emphasized that it is our collective responsibility to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, and developed Bastar—a vision that aligns with the dreams of our martyrs. We must ensure that the peace for which our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice becomes enduring, and that the benefits of development and prosperity reach every family in Bastar.
The Chief Minister noted that it is also essential to acquaint the new generation with the lives, struggles, and sacrifices of our brave soldiers. The lives of these valiant sons, who gave their lives for the security of the nation and society, will continue to inspire a spirit of patriotism, dedication to duty, and service among the youth.
- Commendable Initiative by The Hindu Foundation
Chief Minister Shri Sai praised The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, for organizing the event, noting that this initiative—aimed at expressing respect and empathy toward the families of martyrs—serves as an inspiration to society. He highlighted that the Foundation has traveled across the country to reach out to more than 800 families of martyrs. This stands as a powerful expression of society’s gratitude toward those families who sacrificed their loved ones for the sake of the nation’s and society’s security.
The Chief Minister remarked that ‘Shauryanjali’ is not merely an occasion to pay tribute to our immortal martyrs; it is also a moment to pledge the fulfillment of their unachieved dreams and to carry forward the ideals they stood for.
Paying his respectful homage to all the immortal martyrs, Chief Minister Shri Sai affirmed that the sacrifice of our brave soldiers will never go in vain. It is our firm resolve to transform the new dawn of peace—brought about by their valor and sacrifice—into a future illuminated by development and prosperity. Together, we shall build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, and developed Bastar—the very vision dreamt of by our brave soldiers. This will be our true tribute to the immortal martyrs.
Present on this occasion were Mr. Sandeep Gupta, Convener of The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur; Mr. Rajendra Singh Diwan, a descendant of the martyr Veer Narayan Singh; as well as a large number of family members of the martyrs, public representatives, and prominent citizens.