CM Sai attends floral tribute ceremony on the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee
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Raipur, August 16
“The word ‘Chhattisgarh’ that we proudly use in our address today is the gift of revered Atalji. He will always be remembered as the creator of our state,” Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said while addressing the floral tribute ceremony held at Avanti Vihar Chowk in Raipur on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On the occasion, CM Sai offered garlands at Vajpayee’s statue and paid homage to his memory.
The Chief Minister said that Atalji was a multifaceted personality who made his mark as a journalist, poet, and statesman. “People were mesmerized by his speeches,” Sai remarked.
Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s milestones, CM Sai said, “We have launched the 25-week long ‘Rajat Mahotsav’ of Chhattisgarh’s statehood. If today we are celebrating Chhattisgarh’s silver jubilee year, it is solely because of Atalji’s vision. During these 25 weeks, all departments will organize diverse programmes. This year also marks Atalji’s centenary birth year. In his memory, we have declared this as the ‘Atal Nirman Year’, with special budgetary provisions for accelerating infrastructure development.”
Sai added that the objectives for which Vajpayee created the state of Chhattisgarh are being steadily fulfilled. “Over the last 25 years, our greatest achievement is that we have not only envisioned becoming a developed state in the next 25 years but also prepared the ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision-2047’ roadmap to achieve it,” he said.
Sharing his personal memories, the Chief Minister recalled: “It was my good fortune that when Atalji became Prime Minister for the third time, I had been elected as a Member of Parliament. I heard his speeches in Parliament. We all eagerly waited for his addresses in the Lok Sabha. His wit, forthrightness, and oratory captivated everyone. When the Chhattisgarh State Reorganisation Bill was tabled in Parliament, I too had the opportunity to witness the debate as a listener. At that time, our state’s Rajya Sabha MPs, late Lakhiram Agrawal and late Dilip Singh Judev, also voiced their views in Parliament.”
Sai further said that Atalji taught everyone to remain steadfast on principles. “He valued politics based on ideals and ethics. Atalji’s life is proof that politics is not merely a means of acquiring power, but also an art of dialogue, consensus, and compassion. His voice still resonates in our hearts,” the Chief Minister stated.
The programme was also addressed by MLA Purandar Mishra and Chairman of the State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, Sanjay Srivastava.
On this occasion, Kishore Mahanand, Jayanti Patel, office-bearers of the Avanti Vihar Vyapari Sangh, and other distinguished citizens were present.