Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma (left) and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao (right), leads the Tiranga Yatra with the national flag in Raipur on Monday, August 10, 2026. The march from Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium to Subhash Stadium drew thousands of citizens in a vibrant display of patriotism and national unity. Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO.
Deputy CMs Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma join the march; Chief Minister says the national flag binds 140 crore Indians together and embodies the country’s unity, sacrifice and pride
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday August 10, 2026 led a grand Tiranga Yatra through the state capital, walking with the national flag in his hand alongside Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, ministers, public representatives and thousands of citizens.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lights the ceremonial lamp as Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma applauds during the Tiranga Yatra programme at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur on Monday, August 10, 2026. Photo Credit: channel24india.comvia CMO.
The patriotic march from Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium to Subhash Stadium transformed the heart of Raipur into a sea of saffron, white and green. Young people, women, children, senior citizens, ex-servicemen and students joined the procession as chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” echoed along the route.
One of the most striking features of the event was a nearly one-kilometre-long Tricolour carried by school students, symbolising the participation of a new generation in celebrating the country’s freedom and national unity.
Chief Minister Sai, who walked among the participants carrying the national flag, said the Tricolour was much more than a national symbol.
“The Tricolour is our pride and honour. It is not merely our national flag, but a symbol of India’s unity, integrity, self-respect and countless sacrifices. It has the extraordinary power to bind 140 crore Indians together,” Sai said.
He said India may have different languages, cultures, traditions and regions, but the Tricolour gives every citizen a common sense of pride in being Indian.
Sai said the national flag also reminds citizens of the long struggle for Independence and of their responsibilities towards the nation.
CM Calls for Wider Participation in ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, Sai said it had grown into a nationwide people’s movement, taking the national flag to homes across the country and strengthening the spirit of patriotism.
He urged the people of Chhattisgarh to hoist the Tricolour at their homes with dignity and respect on Independence Day and participate in Tiranga Yatras as a celebration of national unity.
The Chief Minister said the freedom enjoyed by Indians today was achieved through the struggle, sacrifice and determination of countless freedom fighters.
A large gathering waves the national flag during the Tiranga Yatra programme at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur on Monday, August 10, 2026, as citizens, students and public representatives come together in a display of national unity and patriotic spirit. Photo Credit: channel24india.com via /CMO.
He stressed that younger generations, born and raised in an independent India, must be made aware of the enormous price paid for freedom.
“Only by learning about the struggles and sacrifices of our freedom fighters can the new generation understand the true value of Independence,” he said.
Sai Remembers Veer Narayan Singh and Gundadhur
Recalling Chhattisgarh’s contribution to the freedom struggle, Sai paid tribute to Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh and legendary Bastar tribal leader Gundadhur.
He said Veer Narayan Singh stood with the poor and needy in difficult circumstances and fought against the injustice of British rule. His life, Sai said, demonstrated that patriotism also meant serving people and having the courage to stand against injustice.
Remembering Gundadhur, Sai said the Bastar hero mobilised tribal communities against colonial rule and became a symbol of courage, self-respect and resistance.
The Chief Minister said the stories of Chhattisgarh’s known and unsung heroes must reach younger generations so that the values of duty, service and “Nation First” remain strong.
‘Bastar Moving From Violence Towards Peace and Development’
Sai also spoke about the changing situation in Bastar, saying the region was leaving behind a prolonged period of violence and fear and moving towards peace, confidence and development.
He said the determination of the government, courage of security forces and cooperation of local communities had taken the fight against Naxalism to a decisive stage.
Areas that once lived under the shadow of violence were increasingly witnessing improvements in roads, education, healthcare and other essential services, he said.
The Chief Minister said Independence Day would be celebrated with enthusiasm across Bastar this year and Tiranga Yatras would be taken out in the region, including villages and remote areas.
Arun Sao: Tiranga Symbolises Gratitude to Freedom Fighters
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, who joined the Tiranga Yatra, said the campaign was an opportunity to express gratitude to the freedom fighters and national heroes whose sacrifices made India’s Independence possible.
He said the large participation of young people from across Raipur demonstrated the deep sense of patriotism among the new generation.
Sao said the same Tricolour that united Indians during the freedom movement was once again bringing people together in a collective expression of national pride.
Vijay Sharma: Yatra a Collective Expression of Patriotism
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma described the Tricolour as a symbol of India’s national identity, pride and unity.
He said the Tiranga Yatra was not merely an event but a collective expression of respect for the country and patriotism.
Sharma said the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign had given fresh momentum to national pride across the country. When the national flag flies over every home, he said, it becomes an expression of every citizen’s respect and commitment towards the nation.
He appealed to people across Chhattisgarh to participate enthusiastically in the campaign and hoist the Tricolour respectfully on Independence Day.
One-Kilometre Tricolour Becomes Major Attraction
School students carrying an approximately one-kilometre-long Tricolour in disciplined formation emerged as a major attraction of the Yatra.
As the procession moved through Raipur, residents welcomed participants at several places with flower petals, while people waved national flags from homes and establishments along the route.
Patriotic songs and chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram” and “Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara” added to the atmosphere.
From Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium to Subhash Stadium, thousands of national flags created a striking display of unity and patriotic enthusiasm.
Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, MP Rup Kumari Choudhary, MLAs Rajesh Munat, Sunil Soni, Anuj Sharma, Indra Kumar Sahu, Motilal Sahu and Purandar Mishra, Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, along with other public representatives, officials, ex-servicemen, students and citizens, participated in the programme.
