- The program ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ brought together a passionate blend of the resolve to protect the nation and the affection between brothers and sisters.
- Smt. Madhuri Verma, wife of martyred Sub-Inspector Shri Yugal Kishore Verma, tied Rakhi on the wrist of the Chief Minister, Chief Minister Shri Sai became emotional.
- The families of martyrs are our own families: The government stands with them in their honour and in every happiness and sorrow – Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai
- Around 800 security personnel were tied Rakhi by school girls, differently-abled girls and women’s groups.
- Around 68 lakh sisters will receive Rs 631 crore as the 31st instalment of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana before Rakshabandhan.
- Chief Minister inaugurated five innovative projects in Raipur district.
Ahead of the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan, the capital Raipur witnessed a soulful confluence of brother-sister love and a resolve to protect the nation. When schoolgirls, differently-abled girls, and sisters from women’s self-help groups tied Rakhi on the wrists of Central Security Forces, Army, and Police personnel at the “Sneh Ki Dor” program held at the Balveer Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, the entire atmosphere was filled with a sense of intimacy, respect, and gratitude.
The most emotional moment of the program came when Mrs. Madhuri Verma, wife of martyred Sub-Inspector Mr. Yugal Kishore Verma, who was martyred in a Naxalite encounter just a day before Rakshabandhan in 2017, tied a Rakhi on the wrist of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnudev Sai. The Chief Minister became emotional on this occasion. He paid tribute to the supreme sacrifice of martyr Mr. Verma and reiterated his resolve to always stand with the families of martyred soldiers. Chief Minister Mr. Vishnudev Sai said that this Rakhi thread is not just a bond of brotherly love, but also a symbol of the trust and belonging of a martyr’s family. Chhattisgarh will never forget the sacrifice of our brave soldiers and the sacrifice of their families. The families of martyrs are our own families, and this bond of respect, self-respect, and standing with them in every joy and sorrow will always remain unbreakable.
- “The end of Naxalism has given the sisters the biggest gift of security and trust.”
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that our security forces have displayed indomitable courage to free the country and Chhattisgarh from the terror of Naxalism and many soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice. Chhattisgarh moving towards the end of Naxalism is the biggest gift of security and trust for our sisters. Now the time is coming when no sister’s marriage will be ruined due to Naxal violence, no mother will have to lose her son and no sister will be worried about her brother’s safe return home.
Citing the determination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as well as the courage and valor of the security forces, he said the decisive success against Naxalism has paved the way for a new era of peace and development in Bastar and across Chhattisgarh. The trust and cooperation of the people of Bastar have also been crucial in this transformation.
The Chief Minister said that Bastar will no longer be identified with violence, but with peace, development, rich tribal culture, tourism, and new possibilities. Roads, electricity, education, health, communications, and employment opportunities are being rapidly extended to areas long deprived of development due to Naxalism. The government’s commitment is to include Bastar among the best and most developed tribal regions in the country.
- ‘Sisters’ Rakhi adorned on the wrists of soldiers’
Around 800 soldiers from CISF, BSF, ITBP, CRPF, Army and Police participated in the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme. School girls, differently-abled daughters, Swachhata Didi, Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi and sisters from women self-help groups tied Rakhi on the wrists of soldiers and expressed gratitude for their contribution in the security of the nation and society.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that he had witnessed such a heartfelt and wonderful scene for the first time in his life. When so many sisters tied Rakhi to soldiers who, away from their families, perform their duties in difficult circumstances to protect the country and the state, the festival of Rakshabandhan seemed to come true in its broadest sense. Our soldiers are not only the guardians of the borders and society, but also the brothers of the sisters of the state.
On this occasion, security personnel also pledged to protect, honor, and safeguard their sisters. Saluting the bravery and dedication of security personnel, the Chief Minister honored those who made significant contributions in the decisive fight against Naxalism.
- ‘Sisters’ love is my biggest strength: Chief Minister’
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that as Chief Minister, he has received the immense love and blessings of millions of women in Chhattisgarh. This trust and belonging of the sisters gives him new energy for public service. The state government is continuously working to ensure the safety and dignity of women, making them economically self-reliant and empowered.
He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, women’s empowerment is at the center of government policies today. Nearly 3 million women are associated with more than 242,000 women’s self-help groups in Chhattisgarh. The Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan has brought about a profound change in the lives of rural women, and 1.385 million sisters in the state have become Lakhpati Didis. Women are now not only the economic strength of their families but also leading the development of villages and society.
- ‘Rs 631 crore to about 68 lakh sisters before Rakshabandhan’
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Mahtari Vandan Yojana has become a strong foundation for the economic independence and self-respect of the state’s mothers and sisters. Through the scheme, eligible women are being provided financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 per month directly into their bank accounts.
He informed that keeping in mind the holy festival of Raksha Bandhan, an amount of about Rs 631 crore will be transferred to the bank accounts of about 68 lakh sisters as the 31st installment of Mahatari Vandan Yojana. The Chief Minister said that the government’s intention is that the mothers and sisters of the state should become financially strong, be able to take their own decisions, big or small, and celebrate their festivals with full enthusiasm and respect. A large number of women also tied Raksha Sutra on Chief Minister Shri Sai in the program. The Chief Minister, while receiving the blessings of the sisters, wished them happiness, prosperity and a bright future.
- ‘Took a pledge for the unity of the country and respect for the soldiers’
Chief Minister Shri Sai made the citizens present in the program take a pledge to discharge their duties as responsible citizens to protect the unity, integrity and honor of the country and to always have a feeling of respect for the brave soldiers of the country. He said that the security of the nation is not only the responsibility of the uniformed soldiers. It is the duty of every citizen to strengthen the unity and social harmony of the country and to remain vigilant against anti-national forces. The feeling of respect for the soldiers should become stronger in the society and the new generation, events like ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ are important initiatives in this direction.
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said that the central security forces and paramilitary forces have played a significant role in the decisive fight against Naxalism. Under the strong will of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the determination of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, and the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the security forces have courageously fought against Naxalism.
He said that at one time, many families lost their sons, brothers, and spouses to Naxalite violence, but now the situation is rapidly changing. The day is not far when a sister will no longer have to say that her brother went on duty and never returned. He also called on society to remain ideologically vigilant and aware of tendencies that undermine the unity and integrity of the country.
- Raipur district gets five innovative projects
During the programme, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai inaugurated five innovative projects prepared by Raipur District Administration and various departments – ‘Harit Poshanam’, ‘Project Niramay’, ‘Tiranga Shakti Fest’, ‘Project Ahigundikah’ and ‘Raipur Unfiltered’.
Through “Harita Poshanam,” nutrition gardens will be promoted by providing fruit plants and improved vegetable seeds to Anganwadis and women’s groups. The goal is to increase the availability of nutritious food locally and actively engage women and the community in the nutrition campaign.
Under “Project Niramay,” health and blood tests will be conducted on 65,920 students from 215 high and higher secondary schools in Raipur district. If any health problems are found during the tests, free treatment will be provided as needed.
Through the “Tiranga Shakti Fest,” various events related to social harmony, culture, good governance, youth leadership, and nationalism will be held each month in Raipur. Its purpose is to connect youth, in particular, with social concerns and the spirit of nation-building.
Under ‘Raipur Unfiltered’, the lives, experiences and thoughts of eminent personalities, artists and people who have made remarkable contributions in various fields of Chhattisgarh will be brought to the fore through podcasts.
Through “Project Ahigundika,” a special campaign will be launched to connect families from the district’s Saunra (snake charmer) community with mainstream government and public welfare schemes. Under this initiative, benefits of various schemes and necessary documents, including Aadhaar cards, Ayushman cards, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and job cards, will be extended to eligible families.
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Laxmi Verma, MLA Shri Sunil Soni, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Chairman of Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Dr. Rampratap Singh, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Oil Mill Development Board Shri Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Disabled Persons Finance and Development Corporation Shri Lokesh Kanwariya, Mayor Smt. Meenal Choubey, District Panchayat Chairman Shri Naveen Agarwal, Collector Dr. Gaurav Singh along with public representatives, officers and jawans of security forces, school students, members of women self-help groups and representatives of various social organizations were present in large numbers.