Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today paid tribute to Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi during her 168th martyrdom day ceremony in Semaria village, Kabirdham district. Addressing the gathering, the CM unveiled a statue of the legendary freedom fighter and lauded her courage, self-respect, and patriotism, emphasizing her sacrifice in the fight against British colonial rule despite limited resources and a small army.
Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi: A Symbol of Courage and Patriotism
CM Sai described Avantibai Lodhi’s life as an enduring example of bravery and nation-first values, urging citizens to draw inspiration from her dedication to public service and community welfare. He praised the Lodhi community for its historical contributions to freedom struggle and national development, and stressed the importance of educating the younger generation about their glorious heritage to continue these traditions.
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Government Initiatives for Farmers, Women, and Public Welfare
The Chief Minister highlighted several key welfare programs of the Chhattisgarh government:
- Farmers’ support: Procurement of paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal, with pre-Holi payments made to ensure financial relief and festival prosperity.
- Women empowerment: Under the “Mahtari Vandan Yojana”, over 70 lakh women receive ₹1,000 per month, with more than ₹16,000 crore disbursed through 25 installments directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, promoting financial independence and self-reliance.
- Housing: Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, large numbers of citizens are being provided with affordable housing.
CM Sai emphasized that the government is committed to peace, security, prosperity, and good governance for the state’s 3 crore residents.
Promotion of Culture, Faith, and Youth Talent
To promote faith and culture, CM Sai highlighted the “Ramlalla Darshan Yojana”, under which over 42,000 devotees have visited Ayodhya to seek blessings of Lord Shri Ram.
To nurture rural youth talent, the state is conducting Olympic events in Bastar and Sarguja, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills.
New Infrastructure and Community Development Announcements
During the ceremony, CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced several development projects:
- Community Hall in Kawardha Ward 26: ₹50 lakh
- Mini Stadium for Sports Development: To promote talent in the district
- Yagya Shala at Sahaspur-Lohara: ₹20 lakh
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma also addressed the gathering, honoring the bravery of Avantibai Lodhi and urging the Lodhi community to uphold their proud traditions.
Community Participation and Leadership
The program saw participation from local leaders, including MLA Bhavana Bohra, former MP Abhishek Singh, Santosh Kaushik, Rajendra Chandravanshi, Komal Janghel, representatives of the Lodhi community, and members of the general public. CM Sai reiterated the government’s focus on inclusive development, cultural preservation, and empowerment of farmers and women across Chhattisgarh.
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