Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai honours a family member of a martyred security personnel during the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ programme in Raipur on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The ceremony, organised by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, recognised the supreme sacrifices of 50 fallen heroes and honoured their families for their contribution to peace and security in Bastar. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Chief Minister Pays Tribute to 50 Fallen Heroes at ‘Shauryanjali’ Programme in Raipur, Assures Martyrs’ Families of Unwavering Government Support and Reaffirms Commitment to a Peaceful, Secure and Developed Bastar
Key Highlights
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai pays homage to 50 martyred security personnel at the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ programme in Raipur.
- Families of fallen soldiers honoured for their extraordinary sacrifices in the fight against Naxalism.
- Sai declares that the courage and supreme sacrifice of security personnel have laid the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity in Bastar.
- Chief Minister assures martyrs’ families that their welfare, dignity and security remain among the government’s highest priorities.
- Sai credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance for decisive progress against Naxalism.
- Government reiterates its commitment to infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and tribal development in Bastar.
- Chief Minister describes building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Bastar as the truest tribute to the fallen heroes.
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday, October 17, 2026, paid an emotional tribute to the security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to restore peace and security in Bastar, declaring that their extraordinary courage, unwavering commitment and supreme sacrifice have laid the foundation for a new era of peace, confidence and development in the region. Addressing the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ programme organised by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, in the Chhattisgarh capital, Sai honoured the families of 50 martyred personnel and reaffirmed that the state would forever remain indebted to those who gave their lives to secure the future of coming generations.
The programme was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp campaign commemorating 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service.
The gathering brought together families of fallen soldiers, public representatives, distinguished guests and citizens to remember the courage of those who confronted Naxal violence in some of the country’s most challenging geographical conditions.
: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ programme in Raipur on Saturday, October 17, 2026, paying tribute to fallen security personnel and reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of martyrs’ families and the development of a peaceful and secure Bastar.Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
In his address, the Chief Minister emphasised that the transformation gradually taking shape in Bastar was inseparable from the sacrifices made by security personnel over several decades.
“Our brave soldiers did not merely fight against Naxalism. Through their courage, dedication and supreme sacrifice, they laid the foundation for a new era of peace, security and prosperity in Bastar. The dawn of peace and confidence that we are witnessing today is the result of their indomitable courage and sacrifice,” Chief Minister Sai said.
Martyrs’ Sacrifice Will Remain Etched in Chhattisgarh’s Collective Memory
Paying homage to the fallen personnel, Sai said their contribution extended far beyond the immediate responsibilities of maintaining law and order.
He observed that the soldiers had protected communities, defended democratic institutions and created the conditions necessary for future generations to pursue education, employment and opportunities for a better life.
Their sacrifices, he said, represented an extraordinary commitment to duty and national service.
The Chief Minister described the martyrs as the pride not merely of their families but of the entire state and nation.
“The brave sons of our soil who laid down their lives for the safety of society and the nation belong not only to their families but to the whole of Chhattisgarh. Their courage, sense of duty and dedication to national service will continue to inspire generations,” Sai said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents a certificate of recognition to a woman representing a martyr’s family during the Shauryanjali programme in Raipur on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the presence of dignitaries. The ceremony honoured families whose loved ones made the supreme sacrifice while serving in security operations in Bastar. Photo: channel24india.com via CG//CMO
He stressed that remembering fallen soldiers should not be confined to ceremonial occasions but must become part of the collective responsibility of society.
Their stories of courage and sacrifice, he added, should be shared with younger generations so that the values of patriotism, discipline and service continue to flourish.
Government Stands Firmly With Martyrs’ Families in Every Circumstance
In one of the most emotional parts of his address, Chief Minister Sai acknowledged the profound personal losses endured by families whose loved ones were killed while serving the nation.
He said that the death of a soldier was not simply the loss of a member of the security forces but an irreplaceable tragedy for an entire family.
A mother loses her son, a wife loses her life partner, and children lose the presence and protection of their father.
Such losses, he observed, could never be adequately compensated through financial assistance or public recognition.
Nevertheless, he assured the families that the state government remained committed to their welfare, dignity and security.
“No words can truly express the pain of losing a loved one. When a soldier sacrifices his life in the service of the nation, a mother loses her son, a wife loses her husband and children lose their father’s protection. We cannot replace that loss, but the entire state of Chhattisgarh will remain forever grateful to our brave soldiers and their families,” the Chief Minister said.
He further emphasised that the responsibility of supporting martyrs’ families was not merely an administrative obligation but a moral commitment.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents a certificate of honour to a woman accompanied by two children from a martyr’s family during the ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’ programme held in Raipur on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the presence of dignitaries. The ceremony, organised by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, honoured the families of 50 fallen security personnel whose supreme sacrifices contributed to restoring peace and security in Bastar. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to the dignity, welfare and well-being of martyrs’ families.Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
“The honour, security and welfare of martyrs’ families are among our government’s highest priorities. These families are not outsiders seeking assistance; they are our own families. The Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with them in every moment of happiness and sorrow,” Sai said.
The Chief Minister said the government would continue to respond sensitively to the needs and concerns of bereaved families.
Decisive Campaign Against Naxalism Under Modi and Shah’s Leadership
Referring to the campaign against Left-Wing Extremism, Sai credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for strengthening coordination between the Centre and the state.
He said the sustained efforts of security agencies, backed by political determination and strategic coordination, had brought decisive progress against Naxalism.
The Chief Minister recalled the March 31, 2026, target announced by the Union Home Minister for eliminating Naxalism and said security forces had worked with exceptional commitment towards that objective.
“Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Centre and the state have pursued the campaign against Naxalism with firm determination and effective coordination. Our security personnel have demonstrated extraordinary courage in taking this campaign towards decisive success,” Sai said.
He noted that confronting an insurgency entrenched in the region for approximately four decades had never been an easy task.
Security personnel had to operate in dense forests, inaccessible hills and difficult terrain while facing persistent threats to their lives.
Despite these challenges, they remained steadfast in their commitment to restoring peace and protecting local communities.
Sai expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for their leadership and acknowledged the contribution of the security forces in advancing the campaign.
Four Decades of Violence Left Deep Scars on Bastar
Reflecting on Bastar’s troubled history, the Chief Minister said the region had endured prolonged violence despite possessing extraordinary cultural, ecological and economic strengths.
Bastar, he observed, is internationally recognised for its rich tribal heritage, distinctive traditions, natural beauty and vibrant community life.
However, decades of Naxal violence disrupted social and economic development across large parts of the region.
Numerous families experienced displacement, insecurity and personal loss, while children in remote settlements grew up amid uncertainty and fear.
Access to roads, schools, healthcare, electricity and other essential public services remained difficult in many areas.
Sai said security personnel continued to serve as a protective force for communities throughout this prolonged period.
“For four decades, the people of Bastar endured the consequences of violence and insecurity. Our soldiers stood like a rock in defence of the people, often serving hundreds of kilometres away from their families and confronting extraordinary challenges in forests and remote areas,” the Chief Minister said.
He acknowledged that every martyrdom strengthened the determination of fellow personnel to continue their mission.
The Chief Minister paid tribute to members of the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security formations involved in operations against Naxalism.
He said the entire state took pride in their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty.
Bastar Moving Towards a New Identity of Peace, Trust and Development
Chief Minister Sai said improving security conditions had created new opportunities for development in areas that had remained deprived of essential services for decades.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand road connectivity, electricity, education, healthcare and welfare programmes in remote settlements.
According to the Chief Minister, the government’s objective was to ensure that every village and family benefited from development.
He referred to the Niyad Nellanar scheme as an important initiative designed to extend public services and welfare programmes to villages that had long remained outside the effective reach of development.
“Our government is determined to ensure that no village and no family in Bastar remains deprived of development. The peace established through the courage and sacrifice of our security personnel must translate into better opportunities, essential services and prosperity for every household,” Sai said.
He observed that the region was increasingly witnessing improvements in infrastructure and opportunities for young people.
Education, skill development, sports and employment initiatives were contributing to a broader transformation of the region’s social and economic environment.
The Chief Minister maintained that lasting peace would require sustained attention to the aspirations of tribal communities and the younger generation.
Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum Highlight the Region’s Emerging Potential
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of cultural and sporting initiatives in strengthening Bastar’s identity beyond its history of conflict.
He cited the Bastar Olympics as an example of how sporting activities were providing opportunities for talented young people from remote villages.
Similarly, Bastar Pandum was helping celebrate and preserve the region’s distinctive tribal art, traditions and cultural heritage.
Sai said these initiatives demonstrated the region’s potential to emerge as a centre of cultural excellence, tourism and youth development.
“Bastar’s identity must no longer be defined by fear and violence. Its rich culture, natural beauty, talented youth, tourism potential and development opportunities should become the foundation of its future,” the Chief Minister said.
He expressed confidence that young people in Bastar would increasingly benefit from educational opportunities, skill development and employment programmes.
The government’s broader objective, he added, was to create an environment in which every young person could pursue meaningful opportunities and every family could aspire to a secure and prosperous future.
A Peaceful and Developed Bastar Will Be the Truest Tribute to Martyrs
Returning to the central theme of the programme, Sai said the responsibility of honouring fallen soldiers extended beyond paying floral tributes or organising commemorative events.
The real tribute, he maintained, would be to fulfil the aspirations for which they had sacrificed their lives.
He called for a collective commitment to ensuring that peace became permanent and that the benefits of development reached the most remote communities.
“Our brave soldiers sacrificed their lives not merely for the security of the present but for the bright and secure future of generations yet to come. Building a peaceful, safe, prosperous and developed Bastar in accordance with their dreams is our collective responsibility,” Sai said.
He urged society to ensure that younger generations understood the significance of the sacrifices made by security personnel.
The stories of the fallen, he said, should inspire patriotism, commitment to duty and a spirit of public service.
“The sacrifices of our brave soldiers will never go in vain. The new dawn of peace that has emerged in Bastar through their courage and sacrifice must now be transformed into the light of development and prosperity. That will be our true tribute to the immortal martyrs,” the Chief Minister declared.
The Hindu Foundation’s Initiative Recognises the Sacrifice of Soldiers’ Families
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, for organising the Shauryanjali programme and recognising the contribution of martyrs’ families.
He said initiatives of this nature strengthened the bond between society and the families of those who had sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.
According to information shared at the programme, the foundation had undertaken efforts to reach more than 800 martyrs’ families through visits across the country.
Sai described the initiative as a meaningful expression of society’s gratitude towards families who had endured immense personal loss.
“Shauryanjali is not merely an occasion to pay homage to our fallen heroes. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to fulfilling their dreams and carrying forward the ideals of courage, sacrifice and national service for which they stood,” Sai said.
He emphasised that such initiatives could encourage greater public awareness about the lives and sacrifices of security personnel.
Families of 50 Martyrs Honoured at Emotional Ceremony
A significant part of the programme was dedicated to honouring the families of 50 security personnel who lost their lives while protecting communities and confronting Naxal violence in Bastar.
The recognition ceremony served as a reminder of the personal sacrifices borne by families behind every act of courage on the battlefield.
As family members received certificates of recognition and honours, the occasion reflected the state’s gratitude towards those whose loved ones had made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Chief Minister personally participated in honouring the families, reinforcing the message that their contribution to the peace and security of Bastar would never be forgotten.
The programme was attended by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, convenor Sandeep Gupta, descendant of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Rajendra Singh Diwan, members of martyrs’ families, public representatives and several distinguished citizens.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to preserving the memory of the fallen and building a Bastar defined by peace, opportunity, security and inclusive development.
For Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the message remained unequivocal: the greatest honour that Chhattisgarh can bestow upon its fallen heroes is to ensure that the peace they fought for becomes permanent and that the generations they sought to protect inherit a safer, stronger and more prosperous Bastar.
