Kumar Bahukhandi
A crowded refugee train during the Partition of India in 1947, when millions were forced to leave their homes amid one of the largest mass migrations in history. Chhattisgarh will observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in Raipur on Friday, August 14, 2026, to remember the suffering, displacement and resilience of those affected by Partition- Photo Credit: Archival/Representational Image
CM Vishnu Deo Sai to attend State-level programme in Raipur on August 14; filmmaker Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi to deliver keynote address
Raipur : Chhattisgarh will observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas) with a State-level programme in Raipur on Friday, August 14, remembering the immense human suffering, displacement and struggle associated with the Partition of India in 1947.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be the chief guest at the programme being organised by the State Culture Department at the open-air auditorium of the Directorate of Archaeology premises near Lok Bhavan in Civil Lines at 12.30 pm.
Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal will preside over the programme, while Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap will attend as a special guest. Acclaimed filmmaker, actor and writer Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi will be the keynote speaker.
The programme seeks to take the history of Partition beyond dates and political developments and focus on the experiences of families who lost their homes, livelihoods and familiar surroundings during one of the most traumatic episodes accompanying the end of British rule.
Representatives of Sindhi, Punjabi and Bengali communities affected by Partition will share memories and experiences associated with their families and communities. A special exhibition focusing on the circumstances surrounding Partition and its human consequences will also form part of the programme.
Students from schools and colleges have been invited in significant numbers, with the initiative intended to help younger generations understand the human dimension of Partition and the resilience of those who rebuilt their lives after displacement.
Dr Dwivedi’s presence gives the programme particular relevance. Known for bringing Indian history, literature and culture to cinema and television, he gained nationwide recognition through Chanakya and later directed Pinjar, which explored human relationships and suffering against the backdrop of Partition.
Vice-Chancellor of Pt Ravishankar Shukla University Sachchidanand Shukla is also scheduled to address the gathering.
Among those expected to attend are Shadani Darbar spiritual head Dr Yudhishthir Lal Maharaj, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, legislators Rajesh Munat, Sunil Soni, Motilal Sahu, Purandar Mishra and Anuj Sharma, Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, along with academics, writers, representatives of different communities and other dignitaries.
Beyond remembrance, the programme seeks to underline a larger message: that recalling the suffering caused by Partition should strengthen society’s commitment to unity, harmony and human compassion.
