Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the State-Level National Service Scheme Foundation Day and Felicitation Ceremony at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Photo:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Chief Minister calls on NSS volunteers to lead Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, says service, discipline and leadership can prepare young people for a decisive role in Viksit Bharat
Key Highlights
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai describes youth power as the greatest strength in building Viksit Bharat and Viksit Chhattisgarh.
- Calls on NSS volunteers to take cleanliness, blood donation, tree plantation, water conservation and de-addiction campaigns to communities.
- Says the government is expanding opportunities in education, recruitment, employment, entrepreneurship and technology.
- Around 7,000 youth have been recruited into the Police Department, while recruitment in education and power companies is under way.
- State targets promotion of 5,000 startups by 2030.
- ₹500 crore provision made for Mukhyamantri AI Mission, with a target of AI training for six lakh students.
- Chief Minister felicitates NSS volunteers for outstanding service.
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday, September 24, 2026 described the energy, talent and spirit of service among young people as Chhattisgarh’s greatest strength, calling on National Service Scheme volunteers to take a leading role in social service and the state’s development journey.
Addressing the State-Level National Service Scheme Foundation Day and Felicitation Ceremony at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, Sai said the right direction given to the energy and innovative capacity of young people could bring significant changes in society and the nation.
“Youth power is the greatest strength in building Viksit Bharat and Viksit Chhattisgarh,” Sai said, adding that the NSS helps instil values of service, discipline, leadership, social responsibility and nation-building among young people.
‘No Act of Service Should Be Considered Insignificant’
Sai said participation in the NSS goes beyond taking part in activities, as it helps young people understand society, recognise people’s problems, assume responsibility, work collectively and seek solutions.
“No act of service should be considered insignificant. At times, even a small effort by a young person can inspire society as a whole,” he said.
He cited cleanliness initiatives, blood donation, planting and caring for trees, spreading awareness about water conservation and encouraging people to stay away from addiction as examples of individual efforts capable of contributing to wider social change.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai with Higher Education Minister Tank Ram Verma, Special Secretary, School Education Department, Dr Santosh Kumar Dewangan (extreme left), and the Tourism Secretary (right) during the State-Level National Service Scheme Foundation Day and Felicitation Ceremony in Raipur on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
The Chief Minister called upon NSS volunteers to actively participate in the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, saying the campaign and the NSS share the fundamental objective of voluntarily stepping forward to serve society.
“When youth come forward for a good cause, families, society and communities also join them,” Sai said, stressing that even relatively small initiatives by volunteers could grow into broader movements for positive social transformation.
Sai said the government was expanding opportunities for young people across education, government service, employment, entrepreneurship, sports and modern technology. He said strengthening trust in recruitment examinations remained a priority, with measures being taken to prevent cheating and unfair practices.
According to the Chief Minister, around 7,000 young people have been recruited into the Police Department, recruitment is under way for lecturers, teachers and assistant teachers, while the recruitment process for 1,235 posts in power companies has also moved forward. Appointment letters have also been issued to 430 laboratory attendants in higher education.
‘Youth Should Become Job Creators’
Sai urged young people to look beyond conventional employment and use entrepreneurship and innovation to generate opportunities for others.
“Young people in Chhattisgarh should not remain merely job seekers but should also become job creators for others through their innovation, talent and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Under the Innovation and Startup Promotion Policy 2025–30, the state has set a target of promoting 5,000 startups by 2030. Young people are also being connected with entrepreneurship, skills and emerging technologies through the Mukhyamantri Startup and Nipun Mission.
Turning to emerging technology, Sai said artificial intelligence would increasingly influence education, industry, healthcare, agriculture and administration and that Chhattisgarh needed to prepare its young people for these changes.
The government has made a ₹500-crore provision for the Mukhyamantri AI Mission, under which six lakh students are targeted to receive artificial intelligence training.
Sai also said the government had cleared the way for 156 outstanding sportspersons to secure government jobs.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister linked the state’s development aspirations with India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“The energy, talent, hard work, innovation and spirit of service among Chhattisgarh’s youth are the greatest strengths of this journey,” he said.
Higher Education Minister Tank Ram Verma said the NSS provides young people with opportunities to channel their energy into constructive activities while developing leadership, teamwork, decision-making abilities and social responsibility.
Sai also felicitated NSS volunteers for outstanding work in different fields. Higher Education Secretary Avinash Champawat, Commissioner Rita Yadav, NSS officials, representatives of universities and colleges, programme officers and volunteers attended the ceremony.
