Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai welcomed and felicitated content creators from across the country at the Digital Democracy Dialogue held at the Chief Minister’s residence in Raipur today. He said that Chhattisgarh is a confluence of faith, culture and nature.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that this land is known as the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram and the maternal home of Mother Kaushalya. Lord Shri Ram spent most of his 14 years of exile here, evidence of which can still be found at various sites across the state. He highlighted Chhattisgarh’s glorious heritage by mentioning the devotion of Mother Shabari and historical-spiritual sites like Dandakaranya and Abujhmad.
Recalling Saint Guru Ghasidas’s message of “Manke-Manke Ek Saman,” he said that this tradition of truth and non-violence is still embedded in the soul of the state.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh, once affected by Naxalism, is rapidly changing. As a result of the strong will of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the determination of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, and the indomitable courage of the security forces, the state has now achieved decisive success in becoming free from Naxalism. He said that while earlier a large part of the state was Naxal-affected, now the mainstream of development is reaching every village.
Describing the Bastar division as full of natural beauty and immense tourism potential, the Chief Minister said that its waterfalls, dense forests, culture, and tribal life are attracting tourists from India and abroad. He said that the inclusion of Bastar’s Dhudmaras village among the world’s 20 best tourist destinations by UNESCO is a matter of pride for the state.
He urged the content creators to use their influence to spread the positive image of Bastar and Chhattisgarh to the country and the world.
Citing an example, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that after the video of disabled child Madda Ram of Bastar went viral, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar sent him a cricket kit – this is a proof of the power of social media.
Discussing development work in the state, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that under the new industrial policy, investment proposals worth more than 8 lakh crore rupees have been received in the last two years. Additionally, work is being done towards developing the state through “Chhattisgarh Vision 2047.”
Referring to the development schemes implemented in Naxal-affected areas, he said that through the “Niyad Nella Naar Yojana,” basic amenities like roads, electricity, water, rations, forest rights leases, and telecommunications have been extended to remote villages. Youth are being integrated into the mainstream through the Bastar Olympics and cultural events.
Highlighting the digital age, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the impact of the Prime Minister’s Digital India vision is visible in every village today, where even ordinary citizens are making digital payments. He called on creators to further drive this change.
Addressing the event, Mr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice President of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, said that the new Chhattisgarh, emerging from the shadow of Naxalism, is now establishing itself as a positive and inspiring example for the country. He said that the region, once seen only in the context of struggle and challenges, is today writing a new story of development, peace, and possibilities. He appealed to content creators to transcend prejudices and understand Chhattisgarh and, through their platforms, share the real changes taking place here, the positive changes in people’s lives, the cultural richness, and the new momentum of development with the nation and the world. He said that today, digital media is not only a means of expression but has also become the most influential force in creating perceptions. In such a situation, the responsibility of creators increases further to present content based on truth and positivity and instill new thinking and trust in society.
MLA Shri Kiran Singh Deo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Shri R. Krishna Das, Dr. Guru Paswan, Shri Prabal Pratap Singh Judev and Public Relations Commissioner Shri Rajat Bansal along with other dignitaries were present on the occasion.