Kumar Bahukhandi
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey and Pandariya MLA Bhavna Bohra pay homage during the ceremony marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary in Bhagatpur village, Kabirdham district, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR.
₹55 lakh in development works announced at Patel’s 151st birth anniversary celebration in Bhagatpur; leaders stress unity, agricultural progress and cultural continuity
Key Highlights
• Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma attends the Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj’s celebration in Bhagatpur, Kabirdham.
• Sharma announces ₹25 lakh for a community building and ₹20 lakh for a concrete road and dome structure.
• Pandariya MLA Bhavna Bohra announces ₹10 lakh for an Atal Bihari Vajpayee statue and beautification near Atal Chowk.
• Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey joins the tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Sharma urges the farming community to adopt modern methods, diversify crops and guide younger generations.
Raipur: Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to national integration and announced development works at a celebration marking his 151st birth anniversary in Bhagatpur village, Pandariya development block of Kabirdham district, on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Organised by the district Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj, the ceremony brought together community members and public representatives to remember Patel’s leadership in uniting princely states after Independence.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey and Pandariya MLA Bhavna Bohra join community representatives at the celebration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary in Bhagatpur village, Kabirdham district, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Sharma attended as chief guest, alongside Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey and Pandariya MLA Bhavna Bohra. The guests inaugurated the programme by garlanding Patel’s statue and lighting a ceremonial lamp.
₹55 lakh announced for community infrastructure
Sharma announced ₹25 lakh for the construction of a community building and another ₹20 lakh for a cement-concrete road and dome structure.
Bohra announced ₹10 lakh for installing a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and undertaking beautification near Atal Chowk.
Together, the announcements amounted to ₹55 lakh for local development and community facilities.
Patel’s determination shaped national integration
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma addresses the Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj’s celebration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary in Bhagatpur village, Kabirdham district, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. He highlighted Patel’s contribution to national integration and urged community unity and agricultural innovation. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma said Patel had accepted one of the most difficult challenges confronting India at Independence: bringing hundreds of princely states into the Union.
He recalled the complex circumstances surrounding integration, including Hyderabad, and credited Patel’s determination and leadership with helping build a strong and united country.
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel brought hundreds of princely states together and played a historic role in building a strong and united India,” Sharma said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also referred to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, saying it continued to inspire people to remember Patel’s stature and contribution to the nation.
He invoked Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s resistance to Mughal expansion as another example of courage and resolve, encouraging the gathering to draw inspiration from historical leadership.
Community unity and agricultural progress
Sharma emphasised that collective effort could produce constructive outcomes and help communities move forward.
“When the community comes together, positive and constructive results follow,” he said.
Women, children and other community members attend the celebration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary, organised by the district Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj in Bhagatpur village, Kabirdham district, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR.
Describing the Kurmi community’s longstanding association with agriculture, Sharma encouraged farmers to adopt modern practices and diversify production.
He said cultivating different crops and agricultural products could create opportunities for improved output and income, even on smaller holdings.
“The Kurmi community has a strong agricultural tradition. We should move forward with modern methods and diversification, exploring opportunities for better production and income even from limited land,” Sharma said.
He urged young people and community thinkers to work together for social progress while ensuring that cultural traditions were passed on to the next generation.
Santosh Pandey highlights strength of social unity
Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey remembered Patel as a leader who placed national unity and integrity above all else.
He also referred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, saying the contributions of such historical figures would remain sources of inspiration.
Pandey highlighted the importance of community solidarity, collective pride and responsible social leadership in advancing development.
Bhavna Bohra urges investment in the next generation
Pandariya MLA Bhavna Bohra described Patel as a symbol of national unity and social harmony.
She said his role in bringing princely states together remained an enduring contribution to nation-building.
Bohra emphasised that community gatherings gave young people opportunities to understand their culture, traditions and social practices. She called on members to work collectively for community progress and a better future for younger generations.
The programme was also attended by Farmers’ Welfare Council Chairman Suresh Chandravanshi; Nandlal Chandrakar, Durg division minister of the Chhattisgarh Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj; Zila Panchayat Vice-President Kailash Chandravanshi; Municipal Council Chairman Chandraprakash Chandravanshi; other public representatives and community office-bearers.
