Khairagarh to be developed as Chhattisgarh’s art capital: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

Raipur: Chief Minister Bhupesh
Baghel inaugurated the three-day long Khairagarh festival late on Wednesday. On
the occasion, he performed Bhoomipujan of development works worth Rs 6 crore 51
lakh and returned the amount of Rs 1 crore 57 lakh to 17127 investors in Rajnandgaon
district duped by chit fund companies. Baghel also inaugurated 9 Swami Atmanand
English Medium Schools established at a cost of Rs 14 crore 74 lakh in
Rajnandgaon district.

Chief minister paid
tributes to the founder of Khairagarh Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya,
‘Raja’ of Khairagarh Raja Virendra Bahadur Singh, and Rani Padmavati Devi and
Princess Indira. Established in the year 1956 with a dedicated spirit towards
music, the university has made a special identity in the country and the world.
He congratulated everyone for the creation of Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai
district and for the organization of Khairagarh festival. He said that
Khairagarh district formation process has started and an OSD has also been appointed
here. Besides, Salhewara has been upgraded as Tehsil while Jalbandha as Sub
Tehsil. He stressed on the need to promote the rich and unique historical
culture, folk culture and art and music of the state. The newly formed
Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district is to be developed as a prosperous
district and ‘art capital’ of Chhattisgarh state. He said that there should be
a study centre for art and music in Bastar, Surguja, Raigarh and Raipur. He
informed about provision for this in the state budget.

The chief minister said
that the state of Chhattisgarh has been famous as a prosperous state since
ancient times. There is a need to promote and preserve the rich historical
culture, civilization and art of the state on world stage. Giving information
about the characteristic elements in the state’s history, he said that many
ancient remains have been found from the excavation of Tarighat Rewaghat which
displays the rich culture of state. The state not only leads in terms of
mineral wealth but also has a rich and unique cultural heritage. Work is being
done in Chhattisgarh to preserve its glorious history through Ram Van Gaman
Path so that the identity of the state can be established on the world map.
Chief Minister also enjoyed the songs of famous playback singer Kavita
Krishnamurthy.

Higher education
minister Umesh Patel said in his address that chief minister Bhupesh Baghel is
committed to improve quality of education in Chhattisgarh. He said that in the
field of higher education, work is being done to make every college NAAC
accredited. On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Mokshada
(Mamata) Chandrakar said that she has got the privilege of doing creative and
qualitative work as vice chancellor in that university in which she has pursued
her higher studies. Referring to the specialty of the university, she said that
since its inception, it has made many remarkable achievements in the field of
art and music. She put forth various demands for the university, which chief
minister assured to fulfill in the next budget.

Collector Taran Prakash
Sinha gave information about the notable achievements of the district and
grants given by the chief minister to the district. He informed that Swami
Atmanand English Medium School will be started soon in Salhewara of Khairagarh.
Famous playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy graced the occasion by her
melodious song performances. Parliamentary Secretary Kunwer Singh Nishad,
Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Other Backward Classes Development Authority
Daleshwar Sahu, newly elected MLA Yashoda Nilamber Verma, Chairman of
Khairagarh Municipality Shailendra Verma, IG OP Pal, and Superintendent of
Police Santosh Singh along with SDM Tankeshwar Sahu and other dignitaries were
present on the occasion.