Chhattisgarhi: A Soulful Language that Connects Hearts: CM Sai
Raipur, March 1
“Chhattisgarhi is a sweet and expressive language. It is not just a medium of communication but a language that nurtures our soul and connects us with each other. We take immense pride in our Chhattisgarhi language,” said Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai while inaugurating the 8th Provincial Conference of the Chhattisgarh State Language Commission.
Shri Sai emphasized that the state government is making every possible effort to honor and promote the Chhattisgarhi language. He recalled how former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee created the state of Chhattisgarh in 2000, fulfilling the dreams of its ancestors. He stated that preserving and elevating Chhattisgarhi, the language of our motherland, is a collective responsibility.
During the event, 11 Chhattisgarhi books were released, including Bhagmanee, Chhattisgarh ke Chhattis Bhaji, Chhatanar, Chal Ud Re Puchuk Chirai, Ek Kahani Hana Ke, Ganga Baru, and Maati Ke Diya. The conference was attended by renowned literary figures such as Shri Rameshwar Vaishnav, Dr. Ramendra Nath Mishra, Dr. Vinay Kumar Pathak, Director of Culture & State Language Shri Vivek Acharya, and Secretary of the Chhattisgarh State Language Commission Dr. Abhilasha Behar.
Over 1,500 Books Published by Chhattisgarh State Language Commission
The Chief Minister highlighted the rich history of the Chhattisgarhi language, noting that its presence can be found in ancient inscriptions. Many poets and authors have contributed significantly to the growth of Chhattisgarhi literature. Since its establishment, the Chhattisgarh State Language Commission has published over 1,500 books.
He also emphasized the importance of teaching in one’s mother tongue, in line with the New National Education Policy. He noted that children grasp even the most complex subjects more effectively when taught in their native language. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this conference would play a key role in popularizing the Chhattisgarhi language.
Responding to a request from literary figures, the Chief Minister announced that books written by Chhattisgarhi authors would be sent to school libraries, ensuring that students can study and appreciate their native language’s literary richness.
Honoring Veteran Literary Figures
During the event, the Chief Minister honored six distinguished literary figures:
Dr. Devdhar Das Mahant (Janjgir)
Shri Kashipuri Kundan (Gariaband)
Shri Sitaram Sahu “Shyam” (Balod)
Shri Raghvendra Dubey (Bilaspur)
Shri Kuber Singh Sahu (Rajnandgaon)
Dr. Dadulal Joshi (Rajnandgaon)
Each recipient was felicitated with a shawl, a coconut, and a commemorative plaque.
Release of 11 Chhattisgarhi Books
The Chief Minister unveiled 11 new books by Chhattisgarhi authors, including:
Devcharan Ke Kahmukari – Shri Devcharan Dhuri
Bhagmanee (Chhattisgarhi Novel) – Dr. Deendayal Sahu
Manjari Pati (Chhattisgarhi Novel) – Shri Mukesh Kumar
Chhattisgarh ke Chhattis Bhaji – Shri Kanhaiya Sahu ‘Amit’
Chhatanar (Poetry Collection) – Shri Rajkumar Chaudhary
Chal Ud Re Puchuk Chirai – Shri Tikeshwar Sinha ‘Gabdiwala’
Ek Kahani Hana Ke – Shri Harishankar Prasad Devangan
Ganga Baru – Shri Minesh Kumar Sahu
Maati Ke Diya (Poetry Collection) – Dr. Loonesh Kumar Verma
Geetanjali (Chhattisgarhi Translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Gitanjali”) – Shri Ramnath Sahu
Pratigya (Chhattisgarhi Translation of Munshi Premchand’s “Pratigya”) – Shri Durga Prasad Parker
Standardizing the Chhattisgarhi Language
Shri Rameshwar Vaishnav, the chairman of the 8th Provincial Conference, emphasized the richness of the Chhattisgarhi language. He suggested efforts should be made to standardize its various dialects to bring uniformity.
Director of Culture & State Language Shri Vivek Acharya highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Language Commission, while Secretary Dr. Abhilasha Behar delivered the welcome address.
The event saw participation from prominent literary figures and scholars from across the state, reflecting a strong commitment to the promotion and preservation of the Chhattisgarhi language.