The word “Chhattisgarh” we use in the address today is the contribution of the revered Atal Ji – Chief Minister Shri Sai
*Chief Minister Shri Sai attends the floral tribute program organized on the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna, the revered late Atal Bihari Vajpayee*
Raipur, August 16, 2026/ Today, we Chhattisgarh residents use the word “Chhattisgarh” in our address, which is the contribution of the revered Atal Ji. He will always be remembered as the creator of our Chhattisgarh state. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said this while addressing the wreath-laying and floral tribute ceremony organized at Avanti Vihar Chowk in Raipur on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna, the revered late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Chief Minister Shri Sai paid floral tributes to the statue of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and paid homage to him.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Shri Atal Ji was a man of multifaceted talent. He made his distinct identity as a journalist, poet and politician. Everyone was a fan of his speeches.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that we have started the ‘Silver Jubilee’ of the construction of Chhattisgarh state, which will continue for 25 weeks. If we are celebrating the Silver Jubilee year of Chhattisgarh today, then it is the contribution of Atal Ji. Various programs will be organized by all the departments in these 25 weeks. This year is also the birth centenary year of Atal Ji. We have declared this year as ‘Atal Nirman Year’ in his memory, under which a separate budget has been allocated to accelerate infrastructure development.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that while fulfilling the objectives with which Atal Ji created the state of Chhattisgarh, our state is rapidly progressing. The biggest achievement of these 25 years is that we have not only conceptualized becoming a developed state in the next 25 years, but have also prepared the ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision-2047’ roadmap to achieve it.
Sharing his memoirs, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that I was fortunate that when Shri Atal Ji became the Prime Minister of the country for the third time, I was elected as a Member of Parliament at that time. I have listened to Atal Ji’s lectures in Parliament. We all used to wait for his address in the Lok Sabha. His witty style, frankness and the art of putting his point across captivated everyone. When the bill related to the construction of Chhattisgarh state was presented in the Parliament, I also got the opportunity to listen to that discussion as a listener. At that time, Rajya Sabha MPs from our state, late Lakhi Ram Agarwal and late Dilip Singh Judeo, also presented their views in the Parliament. Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Atal Ji taught us that one should always remain firm on principles. He gave importance to the politics of principles and values.
The Chief Minister said that the life of Atal Ji is proof that politics is not just a means of attaining power, but also the art of dialogue, consensus and empathy. His voice still resonates in our hearts.
MLA Shri Purandar Mishra and Shri Sanjay Srivastava, President of State Food Civil and Supplies Corporation, also addressed the program.
On this occasion, Shri Kishore Mahanand, Shri Jayanti Patel, office bearers of Avanti Vihar Vyapari Sangh, along with other dignitaries were present.