- Finance Minister honors 981 senior citizens in Raigarh upon their return from a pilgrimage
- Dreams of senior citizens are being realized through the ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan’ and ‘Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage (Teerth Darshan)’ schemes
- A pledge to distribute one lakh copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ and ‘Vyas Vedi’ (sacred texts/scriptural stands) across the state
Finance Minister and Raigarh MLA, Shri O.P. Choudhary, stated that the life of Lord Shri Ram is not merely a matter of religious faith, but an ideal for all of humanity. His life inspires us toward resilience, sacrifice, moral integrity, devotion to duty, and service. Despite being born into a royal family, Lord Shri Ram faced numerous hardships and accepted a 14-year exile. His life teaches us that one should continue working for the welfare of society and humanity, without being swayed by difficult circumstances.
Finance Minister Shri Choudhary was addressing a felicitation ceremony today at the ‘Sant Pujya Shri Priyadarshi Ram Auditorium’ (located at the Panjari Plant in Raigarh) for senior citizens who had returned from pilgrimages under the ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan’ and ‘Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage’ schemes. On this occasion, he honored 981 senior citizens from the district by presenting them with copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’, a ‘Vyas Vedi’, and a shawl. This group included 861 senior citizens from rural areas and 120 from urban areas.
- A deep cultural and emotional bond between Lord Shri Ram and Chhattisgarh
Finance Minister Shri Choudhary noted that Chhattisgarh is the maternal homeland (nanihal) of Lord Shri Ram. Since Mother Kaushalya was a daughter of Chhattisgarh, Lord Shri Ram shares a profound cultural and emotional connection with the state. In Chhattisgarh, Lord Shri Ram is affectionately referred to as ‘Bhancha Ram’ (Lord Ram as a nephew). The tradition of showing special respect toward a nephew—including the practice of touching his feet—serves as a testament to our rich cultural heritage.
He added that the ideals of Lord Shri Ram continue to provide the right direction to society even today. His life reflects a remarkable harmony of moral conduct, family values, social harmony, and public welfare. By internalizing the ideals of Lord Ram, we can further strengthen the spirit of service, goodwill, and positivity within society.
- Senior citizens gain the opportunity for pilgrimages under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Finance Minister Shri Choudhary stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government has revived the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme), honoring the religious faith and sentiments of senior citizens. Additionally, the ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana’ was introduced in the government’s first budget, enabling devotees from Chhattisgarh to travel to Ayodhya Dham and seek the blessings of Lord Ram.
He noted that the state government is striving to ensure that as many senior citizens as possible get the opportunity to undertake pilgrimages. To this end, arrangements are being made for essential facilities, including transportation, throughout the journey. These schemes are serving as a vital means to fulfill the long-cherished wishes and religious aspirations of the elderly.
- A pledge to distribute one lakh copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ and ‘Vyas Vedi’
Finance Minister Shri Choudhary shared that during his visit to Ayodhya Dham, he had pledged to distribute at least one lakh copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ and ‘Vyas Vedi’ (a sacred pedestal/platform for religious discourse) to devotees in Chhattisgarh. Programs are being organized at various locations to fulfill this commitment.
He emphasized that the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ is a significant text representing Indian culture, life values, and ideals. Through it, efforts are being made to acquaint the younger generation with the exemplary life, moral conduct, and sense of duty of Lord Ram, while also preserving and promoting our religious and cultural traditions.
- Government fulfills the dream of senior citizens to undertake pilgrimages: MP Shri Radheshyam Rathiya
Lok Sabha MP Shri Radheshyam Rathiya remarked that today is an occasion of great pride and joy for everyone. Chhattisgarh is the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya and the maternal ancestral home of Lord Ram. Following the construction of the grand temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, devotees are now receiving the opportunity to visit and seek His blessings. He stated that the state government’s schemes have fulfilled the long-cherished dreams of many senior citizens. The experiences shared by pilgrims returning from their journeys, and the joy visible on their faces, testify to the significance and value of these initiatives.
- A Significant Step Toward Preserving Religious and Cultural Heritage: MP Shri Devendra Pratap Singh
Rajya Sabha MP Shri Devendra Pratap Singh remarked that the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme) and the ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana’ have served as vital conduits, enabling pilgrims to visit major religious sites across the country. Emphasizing the importance of preserving Indian culture, temples, and religious heritage, he noted that visiting Ayodhya Dham to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram offers a profound spiritual experience for the pilgrims.
He commended Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary’s commitment to distributing one lakh copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ and ‘Vyas Vedi’ (scriptural texts). Zila Panchayat President Smt. Shikha Ravindra Gabel also expressed her gratitude to the state government for providing senior citizens with the opportunity to undertake these pilgrimages.
- Senior Citizens Share Moving Experiences Upon Returning from Pilgrimage
During the felicitation ceremony, senior citizens who had returned from their pilgrimages shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude toward the state government. The pilgrims recounted that they had never even imagined they would one day reach Ayodhya Dham and behold Lord Shri Ram…They will have the opportunity to behold Lord Ram. Previous generations of their families could not visit Ayodhya, but thanks to the state government’s initiative, their long-cherished wish has finally been fulfilled.
Devotees shared that excellent arrangements were made for transportation and other essential amenities throughout the journey. Necessary facilities were also provided at the pilgrimage sites. The senior citizens expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary.
- Pilgrimage to Ayodhya Dham conducted in six phases over one year
Between October 2025 and October 2026, senior citizens from Raigarh district were taken on a pilgrimage to Ayodhya Dham in six phases under the ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana’. During the same period, an additional pilgrimage was organized under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’. A total of 981 senior citizens from the district who benefited from these trips were honored at the event.
The program commenced with the recitation of the ‘Sundarkand’ and a collective chanting of the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’. Finance Minister Shri Choudhary offered prayers by lighting a lamp before an image of Lord Ram and participated in the ‘Ramayana Aarti’. On this occasion, members of the group that performed the ‘Sundarkand’ recitation, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat, Shri Abhijit Baban Pathare, and his team, were honored with mementos and copies of the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’.
The event was attended by several public representatives, prominent citizens, and a large number of senior citizens, including Lok Sabha MP Shri Radheshyam Rathiya, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Devendra Pratap Singh, Municipal Corporation Mayor Shri Jeevardhan Chauhan, Zila Panchayat President Smt. Shikha Ravindra Gabel, Municipal Corporation Chairperson Shri Digri Lal Sahu, and Zila Panchayat Vice-President Shri Deepak Sidar. At the conclusion of the program, Mayor Shri Jeevardhan Chauhan delivered a vote of thanks.