Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot pay floral tributes at the Sant Kabir Jayanti Mahotsav at Sonpairi Kabir Ashram in Raipur.-Photo Credit-channel24india.com
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Says Kabir’s Ideals Strengthen Social Harmony and Service Spirit; Announces Three-Month Extension of Power Bill Settlement Scheme
Raipur : Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the Sant Kabir Jayanti Mahotsav at Sadguru Kabir Ashram in Sonpairi, Raipur, on Sunday. The dignitaries paid their respects to Guru Asang Dev and prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the state and the nation.
Governor Gehlot, Chief Minister Sai, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, and Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu also planted saplings in the ashram premises, spreading the message of environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Guru Asang Dev said Sant Kabir dedicated his life to eradicating superstition, social evils, and hypocrisy. He expressed concern over the declining spirit of love and dialogue in society and urged people to embrace service, charity, cow protection, tree plantation, and village development as guiding principles of life. He also noted that areas once affected by Left-wing extremism have witnessed peace and development, with housing projects and infrastructure transforming the lives of the poor.
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot described Sant Kabir’s message of truth, social harmony, human service, and brotherhood as timeless and relevant even today. He said Kabir inspired humanity to rise above caste, discrimination, and social divisions, promoting love, wisdom, and equality. At a time when society faces moral and social challenges, the Governor said, Kabir’s teachings offer valuable guidance. He also appreciated the Sonpairi Kabir Ashram for its contributions to education, cow protection, environmental conservation, organic farming, social harmony, and public welfare.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh is a sacred land closely associated with Sant Kabir and his followers. Recalling his childhood among the Kabirpanthi community, he said Kabir’s teachings have had a profound influence on his life. He noted that Sant Kabir devoted his life to fighting social discrimination, untouchability, caste barriers, and blind faith, while fearlessly advocating truth and equality. According to the Chief Minister, Kabir’s teachings continue to inspire love, brotherhood, and social harmony.
Highlighting the achievements of the state government, Chief Minister Sai said his administration is committed to fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees. He informed that 1.8 million houses have been sanctioned under housing schemes, with more than one million already completed. He also said that former Maoist-affected regions are now witnessing peace and development due to the coordinated efforts of security forces and the Central Government.
The Chief Minister further highlighted several welfare initiatives, including the PM Janman Yojana for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, the Mahtari Vandan Yojana for women, the Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana, the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme, and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
He also urged citizens to make greater use of the newly launched Chief Minister Helpline 1076 for the prompt resolution of public grievances, assuring that complaints would be addressed within a fixed timeline and negligence by officials would invite strict action.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Sai announced a three-month extension of the Chief Minister Electricity Bill Payment Settlement Scheme. The extension will enable more consumers to clear their pending electricity bills by availing surcharge waivers and other attractive benefits under the scheme.
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said Sant Kabir’s teachings awakened society against untouchability, hypocrisy, and social evils. He added that tree plantation is not merely an environmental activity but a responsibility towards future generations, urging people to adopt Kabir’s ideals of humility, restraint, and social reform.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu said that a true Guru shows the path to God. He noted that Sant Kabir advocated truth, simplicity, and selfless service while rejecting hypocrisy and ritualism, adding that following Kabir’s teachings would contribute to the welfare of both society and the nation.
Cabinet Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLAs Motilal Sahu and Indra Kumar Sahu, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Dr. Rampratap Singh, Gau Seva Commission Chairman Visheshar Patel, Chhattisgarh State Warehousing Corporation Chairman Chandulal Sahu, Minority Commission Chairman Amarjeet Chhabra, Dr. Krishnamurti Bandhi, Akhilesh Soni, along with a large number of saints, public representatives, and Kabirpanthi followers, were present at the event.
