- Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attends the historic royal-tradition Dussehra festival in Bilaigarh; makes five significant announcements for the region’s development
- An Additional Collector’s office to be established in Bilaigarh; a ‘Gaurav Path’ (pride road) to be constructed at a cost of three crore rupees
- Announcements made for a bridge on the road to the royal palace (Rajmahal), a Muktidham (cremation ground) in Ward No. 15, and a dome shed near the Maa Samlai Temple
- Chhattisgarh shares a deep, intimate, and cultural bond with Lord Shri Ram; it is the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya and the maternal ancestral home of Lord Shri Ram: Chief Minister Shri Sai
- A new era of peace and trust in Bastar is opening doors to development and prosperity: Chief Minister Shri Sai
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the historic royal-tradition Dussehra festival held today at Rainibhatha in the Bilaigarh Nagar Panchayat, located in the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. On this occasion, while extending his Vijayadashami greetings to the local residents, he made five significant announcements aimed at the development of Bilaigarh and the expansion of civic amenities. The Chief Minister announced the establishment of an Additional Collector’s office in Bilaigarh, the construction of a ‘Gaurav Path’ from the bus stand to the Higher Secondary School at a cost of three crore rupees, the building of a bridge on the road leading to the royal palace, the development of a Muktidham in Ward No. 15, and the construction of a dome shed near the Maa Samlai Temple.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that these development initiatives would strengthen urban infrastructure and public amenities, alongside expanding administrative facilities in Bilaigarh. With the opening of an Additional Collector’s office, local residents will no longer need to travel far for administrative tasks, facilitating the swift resolution of issues at the local level. The ‘Gaurav Path,’ to be built at a cost of three crore rupees, will enhance the town’s aesthetic appeal while improving connectivity and transportation. Similarly, the construction of a bridge, a Muktidham (cremation ground), and a dom-shed (covered pavilion) along the Rajmahal road will be significant in meeting local needs.
Chief Minister Shri Sai began his address by invoking the names of Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita, Pawanputra Hanuman, Mother Jagdamba, Bharat Mata, and Chhattisgarh Mahtari. He remarked that the historic royal Dussehra of Bilaigarh is not merely a festival, but a vibrant expression of our rich cultural heritage, religious faith, and social unity. For generations, the royal family has preserved this glorious tradition, and to this day, the local residents participate in it with the same devotion and enthusiasm. He congratulated the royal family, the organizing committee, and the people of Bilaigarh for keeping this tradition alive and expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received.
The Chief Minister stated that Vijayadashami conveys the eternal message of the victory of righteousness (dharma) over unrighteousness, justice over injustice, and truth over falsehood. It was on this day that Lord Shri Ram established righteousness by putting an end to the arrogant and tyrannical Ravana. While we burn an effigy of Ravana every year, the true significance of Vijayadashami lies in vanquishing the ‘Ravana’ that resides within us—manifested as lust, anger, vanity, greed, and ego. The ideals of Lord Shri Ram inspire us to walk the path of moral conduct, duty, justice, and public welfare. Strengthening love, harmony, and brotherhood within society is the true message of this great festival.
Chief Minister Shri Sai noted that the bond between Lord Shri Ram and Chhattisgarh is both ancient and deeply personal. Chhattisgarh is the birthplace of Mother Kaushalya and the maternal ancestral home of Lord Shri Ram. During his exile, Lord Shri Ram spent a significant period in the Dandakaranya region of Chhattisgarh. The devotion of Mother Shabari at Shivrinarayan and the sacred Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) at Rajim stand as symbols of this rich spiritual heritage. The unique tradition of revering Lord Shri Ram as a nephew (bhanja) remains a living part of the culture in Chhattisgarh. He stated that the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) of Lord Shri Ramlalla in Ayodhya Dham—following a wait of nearly five centuries—was an occasion of immense joy and pride for the entire nation, including the state of Chhattisgarh. Keeping this deep-seated faith of the people in mind, our government launched the ‘Shri Ramlalla Darshan Yojana’. Through this initiative, more than 50,000 devotees have already had the privilege of visiting Ayodhya Dham to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ramlalla, with the expenses covered by the government.
Chief Minister Shri Sai remarked that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh is now advancing rapidly on a new path of development and good governance. Our government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every region and every family in the state. The promises made to the people of the state under ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ are being fulfilled expeditiously.
He noted that in the very first meeting of the Council of Ministers—held the day after the government was formed—a decision was taken to provide ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas’ (housing) to 1.8 million (18 lakh) poor families. With consistent support from the Central Government, the construction of these houses is progressing at a rapid pace, with approximately 1,600 units being built every single day.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Chhattisgarh is known as the ‘rice bowl’ of the country, and the prosperity of its farmers remains a top priority for our government. Our government’s schemes and development initiatives are centered around the needs of rural communities, the poor, farmers, the youth, and women. Our goal is not merely to build infrastructure, but to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of every citizen in the state.
Referring to the historic successes achieved against Naxalism in the Bastar region, Chief Minister Shri Sai mentioned that the area—blessed with natural beauty and vast forests…Bastar, a region rich in mineral wealth, was long unable to realize its full development potential due to Naxalite violence. However, the situation has changed rapidly—thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the indomitable courage of our security forces, and the cooperation of the people of Bastar. Today, fear has been replaced by trust, violence by peace, and despair by a new hope for development. With the establishment of peace and security, new avenues are opening up for the expansion of road, rail, education, healthcare, and communication infrastructure in Bastar.
Highlighting the expansion of rail connectivity in the state, the Chief Minister noted that the development of modern rail infrastructure in Chhattisgarh has gained unprecedented momentum with the support of the Central Government. On the occasion of Vijayadashami, the state has received the gift of new rail projects and passenger services. The extension of rail services to Rowghat and the expansion of rail connectivity in the Raipur–Kurud region will provide better access to remote areas. This will not only facilitate the movement of people but also create new opportunities for trade, industry, tourism, and employment.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that his government is moving forward by balancing heritage with development. While preserving our glorious culture, traditions, and centers of faith, we are simultaneously laying a strong foundation for a developed Chhattisgarh through the expansion of road, rail, housing, and administrative infrastructure. He urged the local residents to embrace the ideals of Lord Shri Ram in their lives and to contribute to the state’s development by fostering love, unity, and harmony.