Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Addresses Youth Concerns and Announces Educational Initiatives during Surguja Division Tour
Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel, embarked on a tour of the Surguja division on Tuesday. He graced the Bhent-Mulaquat program held at the PG College Ground, Hockey Stadium, Ambikapur. With Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s birthday approaching on August 23, female students presented him with a Ragi cake, which he cut. In a symbolic gesture, he fed the cake to Deputy Chief Minister TS Singhdeo and sought his blessings by touching his feet.
The female students had thoughtfully brought along a cake made of ragi. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel enthusiastically cut the cake and shared it with Deputy CM TS Singhdeo. As T S Singhdeo received the gesture, he extended his blessings to CM and offered advanced birthday wishes. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the students for their warm gesture.
Addressing Employment Concerns
During the event, a young individual raised concerns about the scarcity of job openings in the field of agriculture and fisheries within the state. This job dearth is impeding the prospects of marriage for many. Responding with a smile, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inquired if he should also assist in finding a suitable match. He assured the gathering that job advertisements for these positions would soon be released.
Engaging with the youth during the meet-and-greet event, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel conversed on the theme ‘Garhbo Nava Chhattisgarh,’ directly discussing schemes and aspirations tailored for them. The program commenced with the national anthem and included a Chhattisgarhi poem recitation by Jalodhar Gwal, encouraging farmers to toil diligently, cultivate crops, and shun substance abuse.
Expansion of Educational Facilities
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel revealed plans to establish superior English-medium colleges in all districts, beginning with the upcoming academic session. Responding to student requests, he also announced the inauguration of government B.Ed. colleges in all districts of the Surguja division. He highlighted the opening of 377 English-medium Swami Atmanand schools alongside approximately 300 Hindi-medium Atmanand schools, aiming to enhance the educational journey of students from these institutions.
Several announcements were made in response to students’ appeals. Acting upon Deputy CM T S Singhdeo’s proposal, the CM pledged to allocate 100 crore rupees for an indoor stadium and a library at Ambikapur’s divisional headquarters.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel declared that numerous initiatives had been launched since August 15. He disclosed plans for free bus transportation for students commuting from distant areas to reach their colleges. A student from Ambikapur expressed aspirations of preparing for IIT and medical college entrance exams. In response, Baghel assured that online coaching facilities would be set up in every block to support students in their competitive exam preparations.
Innovation in Education
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel shared that Chhattisgarh was pioneering innovation in education, initiating ITI training programs from the 11th grade onward. After completing the 12th grade, students will receive two certificates. This innovative approach, supported by the central government, involves an MoU with Tata for the upgrade of 36 ITIs. This expansion will encompass new trades in addition to existing ones, benefitting around 10,000 individuals.
Establishment of Special Colleges
A student at Ambikapur’s KR Technical College, who possesses speaking abilities but cannot hear, voiced her challenges to the Chief Minister. She conveyed the difficulties she faced while trying to comprehend teachers’ lip movements. Observing this gap, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced plans to launch a residential college for deaf and mute students in Raipur, commencing in the upcoming academic session. Subsequently, similar institutions will be established in divisional headquarters.
The event drew a significant crowd of youths from Surguja, Korea, Balrampur, Surajpur, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, and Jashpur districts of Surguja division. The youth’s enthusiasm for engaging directly with the Chief Minister was palpable. Deputy CM TS Singhdeo, Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat, MP Deepak Baij, State Planning Commission Chairman Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, Parliamentary Secretary Chintamani Maharaj, and the CM’s advisor Rajesh Tiwari were also present during the event.
