Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the Sen Shakti Sammelan and Kesh Shilpi Samman Samaroh at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium in the Medical College campus, Raipur, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. He announced ₹50 lakh for a Sen community building and said a chowk in Nava Raipur would be named after Sant Shiromani Sen Ji Maharaj. —Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO
Chief Minister says Sen community remains a strong pillar of Sanatan traditions and social harmony; assures serious consideration of demands concerning hair artisans
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday, August 8, 2026, announced ₹50 lakh for construction of a community building for the Sen community and said a prominent chowk in Nava Raipur would be named after Sant Shiromani Sen Ji Maharaj.
Addressing the Sen Shakti Sammelan and Kesh Shilpi Samman Samaroh at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium in the Medical College campus in Raipur, Sai said the Sen community has played an important role for centuries in strengthening social traditions, values and harmony.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh, Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb and other dignitaries at the Sen Shakti Sammelan and Kesh Shilpi Samman Samaroh in Raipur on Saturday, August 8, 2026. — Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO
The Chief Minister said the community’s contribution extends far beyond its traditional profession, with its members having a significant role in social customs and ceremonies from birth and marriage to the final rites. He described the community as an important carrier of Sanatan traditions and values from one generation to another.
Referring to Bharat Ratna Jannayak Karpoori Thakur, Sai said the legendary leader’s association with the community was a matter of pride. He said Karpoori Thakur remains a symbol of the struggle for the rights of deprived sections and social justice. The Chief Minister also referred to the contribution of MLA Rikesh Sen and Chhattisgarh Film Development Corporation Chairperson Mona Sen.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents a certificate to a participant during the Kesh Shilpi Samman Samaroh in Raipur on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh and other dignitaries look on. — Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO
Sai said the Kesh Shilpi Kalyan Board had been constituted during the tenure of former Chief Minister and present Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh. Initiatives such as providing salon kits to members of the Sen community and equipment to people engaged in other traditional occupations were introduced as part of efforts to strengthen their economic position. He assured that the government would seriously consider the community’s present needs and demands.
Announcing another major decision, Sai said a chowk in Nava Raipur would be named after Sant Shiromani Sen Ji Maharaj, adding that a committee has been constituted for the naming process. He assured the community of the government’s continued support for its development and welfare.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is felicitated during the Sen Shakti Sammelan and Kesh Shilpi Samman Samaroh at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium in Raipur on Saturday, August 8, 2026-— Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO
The Chief Minister also highlighted various welfare initiatives of the state government. He said around 70 lakh women were receiving ₹1,000 every month under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and that more than ₹19,000 crore had been transferred to beneficiaries over the past two-and-a-half years.
Sai said more than five lakh landless agricultural labourers were receiving annual assistance of ₹10,000, while recruitment had been completed for over 20,000 posts across government departments. He added that the state’s new industrial policy aims to generate employment for about 1.5 lakh youths and that Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals exceeding ₹8 lakh crore.
He also said rooftop solar systems had been installed in around 80,000 homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with nearly 40,000 households receiving zero electricity bills.
Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh, addressing the gathering, described the Sen community as an integral part of India’s social structure and praised the appointment of Gaurishankar Shriwas to lead the Kesh Shilpi Kalyan Board. Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb said skill-development programmes were providing training and opportunities to members of the community.
The programme was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, MLA Rikesh Sen, Chhattisgarh Film Development Corporation Chairperson Mona Sen, Kesh Shilpi Kalyan Board Chairman Gaurishankar Shriwas and several other representatives of the community. Trained youths from across Chhattisgarh were also provided professional kits during the programme.
