By Kavita Mistry 
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday during its 25th anniversary celebrations of the state’s foundation.
The PM, running a packed schedule, inaugurated the state’s new Vidhan Sabha building and unveiled ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statue. He also inaugurated a digitally-focused tribal museum in the city. Later, he concluded the day at the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav (silver jubilee celebrations) in Nava Raipur.
Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000.
The NDA government has focused on Chhattisgarh since the BJP’s landslide victory in the state in the 2024 state elections. The win was a surprise to many observers. Since then, the “double-engine” government has been working tirelessly to change the “image” of the state from a Naxal hotbed to an industry-friendly one.
Across their speeches, both Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and PM Modi emphasised the development work and the check on Naxalism in the state. The deadline to eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh is 31 March 2026.
“We are going to give you the Chhattisgarh that Atal ji dreamt of. In 2000, Atal Bihari Vajpayee successfully oversaw the birth of Chhattisgarh, and now, we are going to give you a developed Chhattisgarh,” Modi told the crowd.
A concert in Nava Raipur
A massive crowd gathered for the celebrations in Nava Raipur. People from all over the state, carrying cut-outs of Modi, squeezed into the venue.
Modi arrived on a chariot, waving to the people, as artificial fog and confetti rose from all directions. Before he took the stage, the PM was felicitated with traditional items, including a gamcha, traditional headgear, and a huge garland.
The PM inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum Saturday, marking the state’s silver jubilee with a cultural gesture.
The digital-first museum will preserve and showcase the history, culture, and the often-overlooked contributions of tribal leaders, who fought for India’s freedom from the region. Among them is Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, who played a pivotal role in the struggle against colonial rule. The museum’s focus, say BJP leaders, underscores the NDA government’s wider policy thrust on honouring and integrating tribal heritage into the national narrative.
During his speech, Modi asked the audience to hold up their phone flashlights and wave, marking 25 years of Chhattisgarh and signaling the dawn of a new chapter. As the crowd acquiesced, the rally gave off a concert-like feel.
“Our government is working tirelessly to reduce difficulties in your lives. Today, electricity has reached every village in Chhattisgarh. And, Internet access has also reached there,” Modi said from his platform.
He distributed ceremonial keys among residents who benefited from the PM Awas Yojana. Chhattisgarh had arranged the griha pravesh (house-warming ceremony) for 3.51 lakh houses Saturday.
Soon after Modi’s felicitation, the Chhattisgarh government also unveiled a short movie, announcing development plans worth Rs 14,260 crore for various railway, highway, and expressway projects, among others, in the state.
“An entire generation has not seen the time when Chhattisgarh had no roads. Today, there is so much infrastructure,” Modi said.
He also announced a special project for the tribes of Chhattisgarh.
“Our government is going to preserve tribal heritage and emphasise their development and welfare. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan will bring development to thousands of tribal villages. This is a project worth approximately Rs 80,000 crore. In independent India, work on this scale has never been done in tribal areas,” Modi said. “Under the PM JANMAN Yojana, development work is being carried out in thousands of settlements of backward tribes.”
Modi also announced Van Dhan Kendras, where tribes can monetise the produce they procure from forests. Besides the CM, former CM Raman Singh was present on the stage with the PM.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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