- ‘2026 will always be remembered as the year of Mother’s pride’
- ‘(L.D. Manikpuri, Assistant Public Relations Officer)’
Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in a tradition of respect for the mother power and reverence for women. From the reverence for Maa Danteshwari, Maa Bamleshwari, Maa Mahamaya, and Maa Chandrahasini to the land of Maa Kaushalya, the mother power has always been at the center of social life in Chhattisgarh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the state government is effectively implementing various schemes and programs, prioritizing the respect, security, economic empowerment, and self-reliance of women. Celebrating the year 2026 as the “Mahatari Gaurav Varsh” symbolizes this commitment.
During the 30-month tenure of the government led by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the Mahatari Vandan Yojana has emerged as a significant initiative for the economic empowerment of women. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month is being transferred directly into the bank accounts of approximately 6.8 million married women in the state. This is providing women with the opportunity to meet their needs and participate more fully in family financial decisions.
- “Financial support to sisters before Rakshabandhan.”
On the occasion of the auspicious festival of Rakshabandhan, the state government transferred the 31st installment of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana. On August 25th, at a program held in Balod district, approximately 6.8 million rupees were transferred to the bank accounts of approximately 6.8 million women.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that the government’s intention is to empower the mothers and sisters of the state financially, enable them to make their own decisions, both big and small, and celebrate their festivals with enthusiasm and respect. This amount, deposited in accounts before Raksha Bandhan, not only provided financial support to women but also brought the message of the government’s participation in the festival’s joys.
- A sense of intimacy and respect was seen in the “Sneh Ki Dor” programme.
Recently, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, in the “Sneh Ki Dor” programme organised in Raipur, school girls, differently-abled girls and sisters from women self-help groups tied Rakhi on the wrists of Central Security Forces, Army and Police personnel. A sense of respect and gratitude towards the security forces was visible in the programme.
The 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. Vishnu Dev Sai. On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai said that this Rakhi thread is a symbol of brother-sister love as well as the trust and affection of the martyr’s family. He said that the security forces have shown indomitable courage to free Chhattisgarh from the terror of Naxalism. Many soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice for the security of the nation and the state.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh’s progress toward the end of Naxalism is the greatest gift of security and trust for the state’s sisters. The government’s efforts are to ensure that no sister’s marriage is ruined due to Naxal violence, no mother loses her son, and no sister worries about her brother’s safety.
- ‘Scope of self-reliance increased through women self-help groups’
Work is being continuously done to connect rural women with economic activities through women self-help groups in the state. About 30 lakh women are associated with more than 2 lakh 42 thousand women self-help groups in the state. Through Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan, special emphasis is being laid on connecting women with self-employment and permanent sources of income. 13 lakh 85 thousand women have become Lakhpati Didi in the state. This has strengthened the economic condition of women and also increased their participation in the rural economy.
Women in self-help groups are manufacturing and marketing various products locally. This provides them with income opportunities and allows them to play an active role in the development of their families and villages.
- “The Chief Minister received the love of sisters from across the state.”
Women from various districts of the state expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai after receiving the amount under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana before Rakshabandhan. From Sukma to Korea and from Rajnandgaon to Raigarh, women from various regions of the state expressed their love and trust for the Chief Minister, respecting him as their elder brother.
The women said the Mahtari Vandan Yojana is helping them meet their daily needs. The financial assistance has boosted their self-confidence and made them more capable of providing for their families.
Expressing gratitude to the state’s women power, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that women’s respect, self-reliance, and prosperity are among the state government’s priorities. The government is continuously striving to empower women economically and move them forward into the mainstream of development.
Efforts like the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, women’s self-help groups, and Lakhpati Didi are creating new possibilities for economically empowering women in Chhattisgarh. The assistance deposited into the accounts of women on Rakshabandhan further strengthened the belief that the state government is committed to the respect, safety, and self-reliance of women.