Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ gathering in Raipur on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, saying that the end of Naxalism would give the women of Chhattisgarh the greatest assurance of security and peace:-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
‘Sneh Ki Dor’ brings together Raksha Bandhan sentiment and commitment to national security; nearly 800 security personnel receive rakhis as Sai says families of martyrs are part of the government’s own family
Key Highlights
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai says a Naxalism-free Chhattisgarh will ensure no sister loses her brother and no mother her son to extremist violence
- Wife of martyr Sub-Inspector Yugal Kishore Verma ties rakhi to Sai in an emotional moment
- Nearly 800 personnel from CISF, BSF, ITBP, CRPF, Army and police participate in ‘Sneh Ki Dor’
- Around 68 lakh women to receive ₹631 crore as the 31st instalment of Mahtari Vandan Yojana ahead of Raksha Bandhan
- Sai says 13.85 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis in Chhattisgarh
- Chief Minister launches five innovative projects of the Raipur district administration
Raipur : The fight against Naxalism is moving towards a decisive conclusion in Chhattisgarh, and the greatest gift this transformation can give the state’s women is freedom from the fear of losing their husbands, sons and brothers to extremist violence, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said in Raipur on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Speaking at the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Sai said the occasion went beyond the traditional celebration of Raksha Bandhan as schoolgirls, differently-abled girls and women associated with self-help groups tied rakhis to nearly 800 personnel from the Central security forces, Army and Chhattisgarh Police.
“A Chhattisgarh moving towards the end of Naxalism is the biggest gift of security and confidence to our sisters. The time is coming when no sister will lose her husband to Naxal violence, no mother will have to lose her son and no sister will have to worry whether her brother will return home safely from duty,” Sai said.
One of the most poignant moments came when Madhuri Verma, wife of Sub-Inspector Yugal Kishore Verma, who was martyred in a Naxal encounter a day before Raksha Bandhan in 2017, tied a rakhi on the Chief Minister’s wrist.
Sai paid tribute to the slain officer and said the bond represented much more than the relationship traditionally associated with Raksha Bandhan.
“This thread of rakhi is not merely a bond of affection between a brother and sister; it symbolises the trust and belonging of a martyr’s family. The families of our martyrs are our own families. The government will always stand with them in their honour, dignity and every moment of happiness and sorrow,” the Chief Minister said.
Sai credited the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the courage of security forces and the cooperation of the people of Bastar for the decisive gains against Naxalism.
A Martyr Family’s Bond of Trust: Madhuri Verma, wife of martyr Sub-Inspector Yugal Kishore Verma, ties a rakhi on Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s wrist during the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Verma’s husband was martyred in a Naxal encounter a day before Raksha Bandhan in 2017. Sai said the families of martyrs are part of the government’s own family and that their sacrifice will never be forgotten-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
He said Bastar’s identity is increasingly shifting away from violence towards peace, development, its rich tribal culture, tourism and new economic opportunities. Roads, electricity, schools, healthcare, communications and employment opportunities are being extended to areas that remained deprived of development for decades because of Naxal violence, he added.
Sneh Ki Dor: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other guests at the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme in Raipur on Tuesday August 25, 2026 , where nearly 800 personnel from the Central security forces, Army and police participated in a special Raksha Bandhan celebration-Photo Credit:channel24induia.com via CMO
The Chief Minister said the sight of hundreds of girls and women tying rakhis to security personnel was something he had not witnessed before.
“Our jawans are not only the guardians of our borders and society; they are also brothers to the sisters of Chhattisgarh,” Sai said, paying tribute to personnel who spend long periods away from their families while serving in difficult conditions.
Personnel from the CISF, BSF, ITBP, CRPF, Army and police participated in the programme, while schoolgirls, differently-abled girls, sanitation workers, Drone Didis, Lakhpati Didis and members of women’s self-help groups tied rakhis to them. Security personnel, in turn, pledged to protect the dignity and security of women.
Women’s Empowerment, Mahtari Vandan and Five New Raipur Initiatives
Sai said the affection and confidence of the women of Chhattisgarh gives him strength to continue working in public service and that women’s economic independence remains a central element of the government’s policies.
More than 30 lakh women are associated with over 2.42 lakh women’s self-help groups in Chhattisgarh, while 13.85 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis, he said.
Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, the government will transfer approximately ₹631 crore into the bank accounts of nearly 68 lakh eligible women as the 31st instalment of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
“Our objective is that the mothers and sisters of Chhattisgarh become economically stronger, are able to take their own decisions and celebrate their festivals with dignity and enthusiasm,” Sai said.
Women attending the programme also tied rakhis to the Chief Minister, who wished them prosperity and a bright future.
Rakhi for a protector: A young woman ties a rakhi on Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s wrist during the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme in Raipur as women and girls honoured security personnel ahead of Raksha Bandhan-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
Sai administered a pledge to those present to uphold the unity, integrity and honour of the country and maintain respect for India’s security personnel. He said safeguarding national unity is not the responsibility of uniformed forces alone and every citizen has a role in strengthening social harmony and remaining vigilant against forces working against national interests.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, addressing the gathering, highlighted the role of Central security and paramilitary forces in the campaign against Naxalism and said circumstances in affected regions are changing rapidly.
During the programme, Sai also launched five initiatives of the Raipur district administration — Harit Poshanam, Project Niramay, Tiranga Shakti Fest, Project Ahigundikah and Raipur Unfiltered.
Harit Poshanam will promote nutrition gardens through anganwadis and women’s groups, while Project Niramay will provide health and blood screening to 65,920 students in 215 high and higher secondary schools in Raipur district, with free treatment where required.
Tiranga Shakti Fest will organise monthly activities centred on social harmony, culture, good governance, youth leadership and nationalism. Raipur Unfiltered will document the experiences and ideas of prominent personalities through podcasts, while Project Ahigundikah will help families of the Saunra (Sapera) community access government schemes and essential documents, including Aadhaar, Ayushman cards, housing benefits and job cards.
Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, MLAs Sunil Soni and Purandar Mishra, Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, District Panchayat President Naveen Agrawal, Collector Dr Gaurav Singh, representatives of public bodies, security personnel, students and members of women’s organisations were among those attending the programme.
