Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh celebrated the 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour across the state as Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav hoisted the national flag at the state-level ceremony at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal.
The ceremony began with the singing of the national song Vande Mataram, followed by the hoisting of the Tricolour and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inspected the parade and took the salute.
A total of 22 contingents, including the police band, participated in the parade. Armed forces performed a ceremonial gun salute, while the police band played patriotic tunes, creating an atmosphere of national pride and devotion.
In his address to the people of Madhya Pradesh, CM Mohan Yadav spoke on a wide range of issues, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), farmers, irrigation, investment, education, youth employment, women’s empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, culture, forests and governance.
CM Announces 2027 as ‘Year of Youth’
A major announcement in the Chief Minister’s address was the decision to observe 2027 as the Year of Youth.
Yadav said the state had observed 2025 as the Year of Investment and Employment and 2026 as the Year of Farmers’ Welfare. Moving forward, the government will focus on the overall development, employment and empowerment of young people in 2027.
The state has prepared a seven-pillar strategy for youth development covering:
- Quality education
- Skill development
- Entrepreneurship and self-employment
- Employment opportunities in the public and private sectors
- Support for startups
- Sports, art, culture, research and innovation
- Leadership development
The Chief Minister said more than 85,000 young people have already been appointed to government services and the government aims to provide employment opportunities in the public sector to more than one lakh youths every year in the coming period.
Focus on Skill Development and Employment
The government plans to provide skill training to more than one lakh youths through ITIs over the next year, while around 10,000 youths will receive training annually at the Global Skill Park.
The state will also establish a dedicated placement cell to act as a bridge between industries and the government and improve employment opportunities for trained youth.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 3.34 lakh manufacturing units have been registered on the Udyam portal over the past two and a half years, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 33.80 lakh youths. Large industrial units have also provided employment to more than 50,000 youths.
The government will particularly focus over the next two and a half years on young people who could not clear Class 10 or dropped out of education after Class 10. The objective is to provide them with skills that can help them find employment in Madhya Pradesh, elsewhere in India and overseas.
GYANII Mission to Expand Development Focus
CM Mohan Yadav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s GYAN framework—focused on the poor, youth, women and farmers—has been expanded in Madhya Pradesh by adding Industry and Infrastructure, resulting in the state’s GYANII framework.
The Chief Minister said the government is working to make Madhya Pradesh a modern, developed, self-reliant, secure and prosperous state while keeping public welfare at the centre of governance.
Uniform Civil Code to Be Implemented in Madhya Pradesh
The Chief Minister also spoke about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said Madhya Pradesh is moving towards implementing a common legal framework in accordance with the constitutional principles of equality and social harmony.
Yadav said the UCC would aim to address discriminatory practices and strengthen equality while providing greater protection against injustice and discrimination, particularly for women.
He also highlighted the government’s cultural and social initiatives, including the upcoming 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Ravidas, which will be observed across the state from August 18, 2026.
Madhya Pradesh Emerges as a Major Investment Destination
The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh has received investment proposals worth more than ₹34 lakh crore across sectors during the last two and a half years, with proposals worth more than ₹10 lakh crore already moving towards implementation.
More than ₹12,000 crore of investment has been realised in the technology sector, while emerging industrial hubs include the telecom manufacturing zone in Gwalior and defence corridors in Jabalpur and Shivpuri.
The PM MITRA Park in Dhar is expected to attract more than ₹21,500 crore in investment, supporting the development of the textile sector.
The state will also organise the Global Investors Summit 2027 in Bhopal, with the government expecting it to provide further momentum to investment, industrial development and employment.
MSME Parks Planned in Every District
Madhya Pradesh plans to establish an MSME park in every district, along with the development of 10 MSME clusters.
A new engineering-sector centre is also being established in Bhopal at a cost of ₹30 crore.
The government plans to strengthen MSME participation in emerging sectors such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Drones
- Semiconductors
- Space technology
- Green manufacturing
The state currently has around 8,000 startups, with women leading around half of them. The government aims to increase the number of startups to more than 12,000 and establish 100 new incubation centres over the next two and a half years.
Agriculture Remains a Major Priority
CM Mohan Yadav described farmers’ fields as “devsthal” for the government and said 2026 is being observed as the Year of Farmers’ Welfare.
The government is focusing on ensuring farmers have access to fertilisers and seeds, adequate electricity, irrigation, minimum support price-based procurement, price-difference payments for identified crops, crop insurance and relief, and farmer welfare funds.
The Chief Minister said more than ₹3 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers’ bank accounts through various schemes during the last two and a half years.
For land acquired for government schemes, the state has implemented a decision to provide farmers with four times compensation.
The government has also introduced the Kavach scheme to provide greater economic security to farmers.
Irrigation Capacity Targeted at 100 Lakh Hectares
The state government has set a target of increasing Madhya Pradesh’s gross irrigation capacity to 100 lakh hectares by 2028-29.
Yadav highlighted the ₹44,600-crore Ken-Betwa river-linking project, describing it as the country’s first river-linking project of its kind.
The government is also working on the Sleemanabad Tunnel Project to bring Narmada water to the Vindhya region.
The state is developing a complete farm-to-factory value chain, connecting agricultural production with processing and manufacturing.
Mrignayani Becomes First PSU with Digital Global Marketplace Platform
The Chief Minister said Mrignayani has become the country’s first public sector undertaking to develop a digital platform aimed at connecting Madhya Pradesh’s weavers, artisans and One District One Product (ODOP) products with global markets.
A Handloom Centre of Excellence has also been launched in the state.
The government is simultaneously promoting horticulture crops such as oranges, bananas, grapes, custard apples, vegetables, spices, makhana, blueberries, strawberries, dragon fruit, marigold and roses as potential sources of rural employment.
Milk Production and Fisheries Get Fresh Push
Madhya Pradesh is working towards becoming the milk capital of India, according to the Chief Minister.
Daily milk collection in the state has reached around 12 lakh litres, while dairy producers are earning profits of more than ₹8 per litre, he said.
The government is also promoting the Lakhpati Gopalak Didi Yojana, aimed at helping women increase their income through dairy-related activities, breed improvement and calf rearing.
Under the Fisheries Policy 2026, an agreement involving an investment of ₹7,430 crore and a buy-back arrangement has been signed with an international company.
Women’s Empowerment Remains a Key Focus
CM Mohan Yadav said women’s empowerment is central to the state’s development agenda.
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana has become a source of support for around 1.25 crore women, while more than 53.55 lakh girls are connected with the Ladli Laxmi Yojana.
He also highlighted the state’s support for greater representation of women in public institutions and said a resolution concerning one-third reservation for women and delimitation was passed during a special one-day Assembly session held on April 27, 2026.
Education and Higher Education Expansion
The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh currently has 73 universities and more than 1,400 colleges, serving over 16 lakh students.
He highlighted the growing participation of women in higher education, stating that for every 100 male students enrolling in colleges, around 171 female students are enrolling.
Sankalp and Sandipani schools were also highlighted as examples of improved educational facilities, with more than 50 students from Sandipani schools securing places in the state-level merit list.
The state recorded strong Class 10 examination performance in 2026, with seven tribal-dominated districts among the top 10 districts.
Healthcare and Medical Education to Get Major Boost
To address the shortage of doctors, the government has appointed 1,000 new doctors over the past three months and plans to appoint another 1,000 in the next six months.
From November 1, 2026, the state plans to make patient diagnostic records paperless, with medical information maintained digitally. Online consultation with specialist doctors will also be facilitated.
The government has decided to establish another medical university, taking the total number of medical universities in Madhya Pradesh to two.
Work has also begun on eight new Ayurvedic colleges, while preparations for a ninth college are underway.
Infrastructure and Metropolitan Development
The state has constructed, upgraded or strengthened more than 15,000 kilometres of roads at a cost of around ₹23,000 crore during the last two and a half years.
Major projects include the:
- Indore-Ujjain Corridor
- Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor
- Ujjain-Jaora Highway
- Ring road projects in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Ujjain
The ring road projects are targeted for completion by 2028.
The government has also decided to develop metropolitan regions in Bhopal and Indore, with similar plans for Jabalpur and Gwalior in the future.
Singhstha 2028 Preparations Underway
Preparations for Singhsth 2028 in Ujjain are progressing at a rapid pace.
The government is focusing on the development of facilities for saints and devotees and improving the water quality and infrastructure around the Shipra River.
CM Mohan Yadav said the state expects the spiritual and cultural grandeur of Ujjain Singhsth 2028 to attract global attention.
Madhya Pradesh Targets Major Renewable Energy Expansion
Madhya Pradesh is positioning itself as a major renewable energy hub, with green energy currently accounting for around 30% of the state’s electricity capacity.
The government aims to increase this share to 50% in the coming years.
Major projects include:
- Renewable energy equipment manufacturing in Narmadapuram
- Solar manufacturing unit in Maksi
- Green hydrogen plant in Morena
- Solar-plus-energy-storage projects
The government has also decided to operate more than 550 electric buses in major cities under the PM E-Bus Sewa scheme.
Tourism and Air Connectivity Receive Push
The state recorded more than 14 crore tourist visits last year, according to the Chief Minister.
Madhya Pradesh has launched the PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Sewa and PM Shri Paryatan Heli Sewa to improve tourism connectivity.
Air services have started on 10 new routes over the past two years, while five new airports are being developed under the first phase of the UDAN scheme.
Direct international air connectivity between Indore and Abu Dhabi has also commenced, while direct flights between Bhopal and Sharjah are targeted to begin soon.
17 Religious and Cultural Corridors Being Developed
The state is developing 17 religious and cultural ‘Lok’ projects as part of its cultural and spiritual development programme.
A major development plan worth ₹2,400 crore is underway at the Ekatm Dham complex.
The government is also working on the Shri Ram Van Gaman Path and Shri Krishna Patheya, aimed at connecting younger generations with the state’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
At Bhojshala, the government plans to develop a grand Saraswati Lok and establish the Raja Bhoj Institute.
Wildlife Conservation Gets Greater Attention
The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh currently has 52 cheetahs across Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar.
The state has also relocated eight wild buffaloes from Kaziranga Tiger Reserve to Kanha Tiger Reserve.
In addition, 40 turtles and 63 gharials have been released into their natural habitats, while five rare vultures were released into the open sky in the Halali Dam region.
Digital Governance and Public Services
The government has launched Madhya Pradesh’s first Cyber Registration Office in Bhopal.
Under the Farmer Registry programme, the state has generated more than one crore farmer IDs and achieved full eligibility for incentive payments, according to the Chief Minister.
The state government has also decided to bear the complete registration fee for land-right records received under the SVAMITVA scheme, instead of passing the cost on to rural beneficiaries.
Police Recruitment and Promotion Accelerated
The government has accelerated recruitment and promotion in the police department to strengthen policing and internal security.
More than 14,704 candidates have been selected for the police department over the past two and a half years, while recruitment for another 9,751 posts is underway.
The state has also decided to establish an advanced Cyber Security Research Centre to strengthen the fight against cybercrime.
Sports and Government Employees Also Highlighted
CM Mohan Yadav highlighted the achievements of Madhya Pradesh athletes on national and international platforms.
He said two Madhya Pradesh athletes won silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, while cricket player Kranti Gaud created a milestone by becoming the first woman cricketer in the world to have her name entered on the honours board at Lord’s.
Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Shakti Yojana, the government plans to construct one stadium in every Assembly constituency.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of promotions for government employees. More than 67,000 employees have received the benefit of promotion so far.
Government’s Vision for the Next 20 Years
Concluding his Independence Day address, CM Mohan Yadav called for collective efforts by the people and government machinery to build a developed Madhya Pradesh over the next 20 years.
He said the state’s future development would depend on continued work in employment, investment, agriculture, education, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, youth development, technology, culture and social welfare.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the government and citizens must work together to take Madhya Pradesh towards a more developed, prosperous and self-reliant future.
