Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participates in “Aadi Lokotsav” Festival – 2025 in Goa -Photo Credit -CG/PR
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today on Friday January 8, 2025 participated in the ‘Aadi Lokotsav’ festival – 2025 held at the model village of Amon, Ponguinim, Goa.
On this occasion, he addressed the Lokotsav and extended his congratulations and best wishes to all the participants. Goa’s Minister of Art and Culture, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, was also present at the event.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai appreciated the organisation of the ‘Aadi Lokotsav’, saying that this festival is a vibrant celebration of connecting with the country’s indigenous culture, symbolising India’s folk-cultural consciousness.
He said that India is a land of villages, and villages are our soul. The culture of the villages is the culture of the country, which must be kept alive through folk songs, folk dances, traditional musical instruments, and traditions.
Chief Minister Sai said that the Goa government has been working to keep this cultural consciousness alive for the last 25 years, which is commendable.
He expressed confidence that in the coming years, the Aadi Lokotsav will be organised on an even grander and more extensive scale, Sai added. .
Paying homage to Lord Birsa Munda, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that tribal history has been extremely glorious. Lord Birsa Munda challenged the British at the young age of just 25 and created history with his indomitable courage. He said that there are many great men from the tribal community who have not received their rightful place in the country’s history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to give respect and recognition to tribal freedom fighters across the country.
Recalling the sacrifice of Rani Durgavati, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that she was a great warrior queen of the tribal community. Prime Minister Modi has given permanent recognition to her glory by constructing a grand museum in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, which is an indelible memory of her valor and sacrifice.
Chief Minister Sai, in his address, specifically recalled the contributions of Chhattisgarh’s tribal freedom fighters.
He said that approximately 32 percent of Chhattisgarh’s population is tribal, and 14 tribal heroes from the state sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. He mentioned that great figures like Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Veer Gundadhur, and Gend Singh fought against the British and made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s freedom. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh was hanged by the British at Jai Stambh Chowk in Raipur, the state capita , CM Sai noted.
Chief Minister Sai said that with the aim of preserving the memory of these tribal heroes and conveying the story of their sacrifices to the new generation, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Digital Museum has been constructed in Naya Raipur. This is the country’s first digital museum, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Chhattisgarh Foundation Day.
Chief Minister Sai also invited everyone present at the Aadi Lokotsav to visit Chhattisgarh and see this digital museum.
Chief Minister Sai said that there could be no greater pride for the tribal community than the fact that today a daughter of the tribal community holds the highest office in the country, that of the President. He said that the appointment of a Chief Minister from the tribal community in a state like Chhattisgarh is a testament to Prime Minister Modi’s inclusive vision.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while mentioning initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Development Campaign and the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, said that the central government is committed to the overall development of the tribal community.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai recalled the contributions of the revered Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that during his tenure, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was established for the first time in the country, through which large-scale budgets and schemes are being implemented today for the development of more than 120 million tribal citizens.
He said that he had the opportunity to work with Prime Minister Modi as a cabinet minister during his first term, which he considers his good fortune, CM Sai mentioned .
Chief Minister Sai said that Chhattisgarh was previously known as a Naxal-affected state, but that image is rapidly changing. He said that Naxalism has been significantly weakened, and the state has now entered a new era of peace, development, and investment. Industries are now coming to areas that previously did not attract investment.
He stated that under the new industrial policy, Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth over 8 lakh crore rupees so far, which are shaping a new direction for the state’s economic future, CM affirmed.
