Chhattisgarh's folk culture, agricultural tradition, and rural life come alive at the Chief Minister's residence on Harela festival
Harela is a festival of gratitude towards nature, respect for livestock, and pride in farming - Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai.
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai and Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh arrived at the program venue in a pink auto, dressed in traditional attire.
Sent the message of nature conservation through tree plantation: Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai and Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh planted a Parijat sapling.
The Chief Minister's residence was filled with the colors of the village with folk songs, folk dances, traditional games like Gedi-Billas, and Chhattisgarh cuisine.
Dialogue with Drone Didi: Handed over a check of 16 lakh rupees for harvester subsidy to a farmer.
Raipur / The scent of Chhattisgarh's soil, the traditions of fields and barns, the melodies of folk songs, the beat of the Mandar, the joy of Gedi, and the aroma of traditional delicacies - on the occasion of the state's first folk festival, Harela, the Chief Minister's residence in Nava Raipur transformed into a vibrant tableau of Chhattisgarh's rich folk culture and rural life. Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, following rituals, worshipped Lord Shiva, the cow, and agricultural tools, praying for good rainfall, abundant crops, prosperity for farmers, and happiness for all families in the state. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, along with ministers, public representatives, office bearers of various corporations, boards, and commissions, farmers, and a large number of citizens, witnessed this celebration.
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai extended his warm greetings to the people of the state, especially the farmer brothers and sisters, on Harela and said that Harela is a festival celebrating the intimate relationship between Chhattisgarh's agricultural culture, nature, and rural life. This festival gives us an opportunity to express gratitude towards our land, livestock, agricultural implements, and nature. Chhattisgarh is the 'rice bowl' of India, and the livelihood of a large population in the state is connected to farming. The prosperity of the farmer is the strong foundation of happiness in the village and the state.
Chief Minister arrived in a pink auto in traditional attire
During the Harela celebration, Chief Minister Mr. Sai was seen in a completely Chhattisgarh style. Dressed in traditional attire, he arrived at the program venue from the Chief Minister's residence premises with Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh in a pink auto driven by a woman auto driver, Mrs. Sangeeta Yadav. This unique gesture attracted the attention of the attendees and added a touch of warmth to the festive atmosphere.
The program began with the worship of Gauri-Ganesh and the Navagrahas. Amidst chanting, the Chief Minister performed the Abhishek of the Shivalinga and worshipped agricultural tools used in farming, including plows, sickles, spades, and shovels, according to rituals. He then paid homage to the statue of Chhattisgarh Mahtari.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that by the time of Harela, many major agricultural tasks are completed, and farmers worship nature and their agricultural resources, praying for a good agricultural year. This tradition reflects the deep understanding and respect our ancestors had for nature.
Fed the cow traditional 'Londi', gave a message for livestock conservation
Chief Minister Mr. Sai visited the cowshed built on the Chief Minister's residence premises and performed Aarti and worship of the cow. He fed the cow and calf green fodder, gram-jaggery, and traditional 'Londi'. The folk tradition of feeding 'Londi' to livestock on Harela is associated with the prayer for better health and protection from diseases for the animals.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that livestock is an integral part of the family and agricultural system in the rural life of Chhattisgarh. Our folk culture teaches us sensitivity, respect, and conservation towards animals. It is also our responsibility to pass on such useful and nature-friendly traditions to the new generation along with modernity.
Government is committed to the prosperity of farmers
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that the central and state governments have taken many important steps towards making farmers economically strong. The Kisan Credit Card, started during the tenure of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, paved the way for easily providing capital for farming to farmers. After the formation of Chhattisgarh state, the government led by Dr. Raman Singh gradually reduced the interest rates on cooperative agricultural loans, eventually bringing them down to zero percent. Today, farmers are getting agricultural loans from cooperative banks at zero percent interest.
He said that continuous work is also being done to simplify crop insurance, expand irrigation facilities, and bring modern agricultural technology to the farmers. The state government is purchasing paddy from farmers at the rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal, up to 21 quintals per acre. This directly benefits lakhs of farmer families in the state.
Message of increasing greenery by planting a Parijat sapling
Furthering the message of nature conservation on Harela, Chief Minister Mr. Sai planted a Parijat sapling on the Chief Minister's residence premises. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh also planted a Parijat sapling. Ministers and office bearers of various corporations, boards, and commissions also conveyed the message of environmental conservation by planting saplings of different species.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that Harela teaches us not only to take from nature but also to preserve and give back to it. Protecting the saplings along with planting them is equally important. By planting more and more saplings and nurturing them until they become trees, a green and safe future can be created for the coming generations.
Chief Minister familiarized with modern agricultural technology
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai observed the stalls of agricultural and other departments set up during the program. At the stall of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, he obtained information about the utility and features of modern agricultural machinery.
The Chief Minister presented a check of 16 lakh rupees to farmer Mr. Inder Kumar Verma of Raipur as a subsidy for a harvester. He said that modern technology and mechanization in farming help reduce the cost and labor of farmers while increasing productivity.
Chief Minister praised Drone Didi Chandrakali's success
At the stall of the Department of Agriculture, the Chief Minister had an intimate conversation with Drone Didi Mrs. Chandrakali Verma. Mrs. Verma informed that she sprays nano urea, nano DAP, and pesticides in fields using a drone and receives a remuneration of Rs 300 per acre. She has sprayed drones over more than 2,500 acres so far and has earned approximately 7 lakh rupees in the last two years.
Appreciating her achievement, the Chief Minister said that the use of technology in agriculture is creating new opportunities for income and self-reliance for women as well. Drone Didis are becoming an inspiring link for modern agriculture and women's empowerment.
At the stall of the National Mission on Natural Farming, the Chief Minister distributed mini-kits of Arhar and Urad dal to the farmers. He inquired about products like Brahmastra, Neemastra, and lip balm made from bee wax prepared by Krishi Mitras. At the stall of the Horticulture Department, farmer Mr. Ramvishal Nishad presented a neem sapling to the Chief Minister.
Gedi, Billas, Goti, and Bati revived memories of the village
The Chief Minister's residence was decorated with neem and mango leaves, marigold flowers, and traditional rural ornaments befitting Harela. Upon entering the premises, one felt an atmosphere similar to Chhattisgarh's villages and fairs. Amidst greenery and folk decorations, traditional games like Gedi, Billas, Goti, and Bati were special attractions.
Artists and participants climbing Gedi brought the identity of Harela to life, while rural games introduced children and youth to their traditional sports culture. Rachuli also attracted people immensely and added the joy of a village fair to the entire event.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai danced with artists to folk tunes
To the beat of Mandar, Dholak, and traditional instruments, folk artists presented enchanting Chhattisgarh songs and dances. In the joy of Harela, Chief Minister Mr. Sai also went among the artists and danced with them to traditional folk tunes. The artists' enthusiasm doubled upon having the Chief Minister among them.
Stalls of various Chhattisgarh delicacies, including Thethri, Khurmi, and Bada, added a traditional food flavor to the event. The Chief Minister reviewed the stalls, interacted with citizens and artists, and shared the joys of Harela.
Chhattisgarh's prosperity lies in the happiness of the farmer: Dr. Raman Singh
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said that Harela is an important folk festival connected to Chhattisgarh's agricultural tradition, culture, and nature. The worship of agricultural tools, cows, and nature expresses our culture of gratitude. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, continuous work is being done to improve the lives of farmers. Farmers are receiving Rs 3,100 per quintal for paddy, and mothers and sisters are receiving financial support from the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. Chhattisgarh's prosperity will be further paved when the farmer's home is happy and the village is strong.
If the farmer is prosperous, the state and the country will be prosperous: Agriculture Minister
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ramvichar Netam said that Harela is a grand festival of Chhattisgarh's agriculture, greenery, and faith in nature. Our culture conveys the message of nature conservation, respect for livestock, and reverence for the labor of the अन्नदाता (food provider). Harela is an opportunity to pass on traditions to the new generation and to resolve to make agriculture more prosperous. If the farmer is prosperous, then both the state and the country will be prosperous.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that Harela is a celebration of Chhattisgarh's folk identity and our roots. Amidst the fast journey of modern development, it is our collective responsibility to preserve our culture, traditional knowledge, rural games, folk art, and cuisine. Praying to Lord Shiva, the cow, and nature to bless the state, he said that may Chhattisgarh's fields flourish, farmers' homes be filled with happiness, and the state continuously progress on the path of prosperity.
On this occasion, Minister of Women and Child Development Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade, Revenue Minister Mr. Tank Ram Verma, School Education Minister Mr. Gajendra Yadav, Skill Development Minister Mr. Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLAs, office bearers of various corporations, boards, and commissions, public representatives, senior officers-employees, farmers from various districts of the state, and a large number of citizens were present.