Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the concluding ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Silver Jubilee Festival held in Nava Raipur today. This event was organized to mark the completion of 25 years of Chhattisgarh statehood, celebrating the state’s inspiring journey of development, progress, and cultural richness.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President expressed immense joy in joining the people of Chhattisgarh for this historic Silver Jubilee celebration, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This five-day festival offered a glimpse into Chhattisgarh’s vibrant culture and its remarkable socio-economic transformation.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan proudly recalled the visionary leadership of the late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the state’s formation on November 1, 2000, and personally shared his association as a former Member of Parliament when he supported the State Reorganisation Bill. He lauded Chhattisgarh’s extraordinary 25-year journey, from being one of India’s youngest states to emerging as a model of progress in social, economic, cultural, and administrative spheres.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan commended the state’s success in eradicating the menace of Naxalism, attributing it to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, coupled with the dedicated efforts of the state government, security forces, and local communities. He stated that development and trust have replaced fear and violence in Chhattisgarh.
The Vice President lauded the architects of Chhattisgarh’s success – farmers, tribal communities, entrepreneurs, teachers, and youth. He specifically praised the state’s exemplary Public Distribution System (PDS), which provides free food grains to over 72 lakh beneficiaries, and congratulated former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh for strengthening the PDS.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan honored the tribal communities for preserving the state’s natural and cultural heritage. He appreciated the wisdom, culture, and sustainable lifestyles of the tribal communities, which hold profound relevance in today’s ecological and social context.
The Vice President also highlighted the remarkable infrastructure development in the state, including extensive road, rail, expressway, and airport connectivity, which has linked remote districts to national markets. He praised Nava Raipur as India’s first Greenfield city, poised to become a global potential hub through new-age initiatives like an IT hub, Pharma hub, AI Data Center Park, and a world-class Medic City for advanced healthcare.
He underscored Chhattisgarh’s efforts in embracing emerging technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing and digital governance reforms under “Anjor Vision @2047,” aimed at fostering economic expansion, human development, and sustainable governance, aligning with the national vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Appreciating Chhattisgarh’s cultural traditions, the Vice President lauded the region’s folk dances like Panthi and Karma, and its rich tribal arts and crafts. He remarked that Chhattisgarh embodies the Indian spirit of unity in diversity, where cultural preservation and modernization go hand in hand.
Emphasizing genuine progress, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan stated, “Progress is measured not just by GDP, but by the smiles on people’s faces, their trust in governance, and the sparkle of hope in every child’s eyes.”
Concluding his address, the Vice President urged the youth of Chhattisgarh to leverage emerging opportunities in Artificial Intelligence, green technologies, and global markets, and contribute to nation-building with courage, creativity, and compassion.
He urged that the Silver Jubilee should be seen not merely as a celebration of the past, but as a pledge for the future – a pledge to build a Viksit Bharat through a Viksit Chhattisgarh, strengthen democracy, honor culture, and leave a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.
Present at the closing ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Silver Jubilee Festival were Governor of Chhattisgarh Shri Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr. Raman Singh, and other dignitaries.