Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the Teej Milan celebration at Bahatarai Stadium in Bilaspur on Sunday, September 6, 2026, where he highlighted the cultural significance of Teej and the growing economic empowerment of women in the State-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
Chief Minister calls Teej a sacred expression of Chhattisgarh’s folk culture; says more than 13.85 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis as State pushes women-led self-reliance
Raipur: Bahatarai Stadium in Bilaspur came alive with the colours, music and traditions of Chhattisgarh on Sunday as a large gathering of women celebrated Teej Tihar in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday , September 6, 2026 .
Women dressed in traditional attire joined the celebrations as the Chief Minister shared the festive occasion with them and extended his greetings in advance for Teej. He also prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of women and their families across the State.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai shares a moment with women participating in the Teej Milan celebration at Bahatarai Stadium, Bilaspur, on September 6, 2026-Photo Credit :channel24india.com via CMO .
Addressing the Teej Milan programme, Sai described the festival as much more than a religious observance, saying it represented the emotional bonds of family, faith and Chhattisgarh’s living cultural traditions.
“Teej is a sacred festival of our rich folk culture. It embodies the love and faith of our mothers and sisters and their prayers for the happiness and prosperity of their families,” the Chief Minister said.
Key Highlights
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai celebrates Teej Tihar with a large gathering of women at Bahatarai Stadium, Bilaspur.
- More than 13.85 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis, according to the Chief Minister.
- Over 68 lakh women are receiving financial assistance under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana; 31 instalments have been paid so far.
- Sai says women are becoming active participants in Chhattisgarh’s development rather than remaining merely beneficiaries of government schemes.
- Some Drone Didis are earning ₹6,000–₹7,000 a day, according to the Chief Minister.
- CM announces that Chorhadeori village in Bilha block will be renamed ‘Ramdeori’.
- ₹30 lakh announced for the Beltara Mahotsav, organised on the occasion of Maghi Purnima.
- Sai says women’s education, safety, health and economic independence will be crucial to building a developed Chhattisgarh by 2047.
Teej Keeps Family and Cultural Bonds Alive
Sai said Teej occupied a special place in Chhattisgarh’s cultural traditions, particularly the custom of married daughters returning to their parental homes to celebrate the festival with their families.
Women traditionally worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and pray for the happiness and prosperity of their families.
“Such festivals not only keep our traditions alive, but also strengthen the bonds of affection within families and society,” Sai said.
Women in traditional attire enthusiastically participate in the Teej Tihar celebrations at Bahatarai Stadium in Bilaspur on Sunday, September 6, 2026-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
The Chief Minister said the significance of Teej lay in its ability to bring generations and families together while keeping Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity alive.
‘Women Are Writing a New Story of Self-Reliance’
Moving from cultural tradition to women’s economic empowerment, Sai said women across Chhattisgarh were increasingly emerging as active participants in the State’s development.
He said more than 13.85 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis, with members of self-help groups undertaking livelihood activities and strengthening their families economically.
“Today, the women of Chhattisgarh are not merely beneficiaries of government schemes. They are active participants in the State’s development journey and are setting new examples of self-reliance,” Sai said.
The Chief Minister also referred to women adopting newer technologies and livelihood opportunities.
A sea of raised hands captures the festive spirit of Teej Tihar at Bahatarai Stadium, Bilaspur, where a large number of women gathered for the celebrations on Sunday, September 6, 2026-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
According to Sai, Drone Didis using modern technology for livelihood activities are earning as much as ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per day, while other women have entered businesses involving centring plates or are earning independently by driving e-rickshaws.
“From Bastar to Bilaspur, our mothers and sisters are writing new stories of success through their hard work, skills and self-confidence,” he said.
Mahtari Vandan Strengthening Women’s Financial Independence
Sai said more than 68 lakh women in Chhattisgarh were receiving regular financial assistance through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and that 31 instalments had been paid so far.
He said such financial support was helping women meet their own requirements while also strengthening their role in household decision-making.
The Chief Minister said the government was also seeking to connect more women with entrepreneurship and industry so that every woman could find opportunities appropriate to her skills and abilities.
“Our effort is to ensure that every sister in the State gets an opportunity to move forward according to her ability and skills, becomes self-reliant and contributes to the prosperity of her family and Chhattisgarh,” Sai said.
Women Central to Developed Chhattisgarh Vision
Sai placed women’s empowerment within the government’s longer-term development vision for the State.
Chhattisgarh, he said, possessed rich mineral, forest and natural resources, and the objective was to ensure that the benefits of these opportunities reached every section of society.
“We have resolved to build a developed Chhattisgarh along with a developed India by 2047. The women of the State will have an important role in fulfilling this resolve,” Sai said.
He added:
“When our sisters are educated, safe, healthy, economically empowered and self-reliant, families will become stronger and the State will also move forward more rapidly.”
Chorhadeori to Become ‘Ramdeori’; ₹30 Lakh for Beltara Mahotsav
The Chief Minister also made two announcements during the programme.
Sai announced that Chorhadeori village in Bilha development block would be renamed ‘Ramdeori’. He also announced ₹30 lakh for the Beltara Mahotsav, held on the occasion of Maghi Purnima.
The announcements were welcomed by those attending the programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao described Teej as an important part of Chhattisgarh’s culture and family traditions. Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade also highlighted the festival’s importance in women’s lives and the preservation of cultural traditions.
MLAs Amar Agrawal, Dharamlal Kaushik, Sushant Shukla and Bhavana Bohra were among the public representatives present.
The celebrations included traditional attire, swings, mehendi, music, food, gifts and activities for children, turning Bahatarai Stadium into a colourful representation of Chhattisgarh’s festive traditions and Nari Shakti.
