He made diya on potters’ wheel
Mr. Gandhi wore the ‘Nehru Jacket’ of Denex Brand, said it is really comfortable
He enjoyed filter coffee, teekhur shake and halwa of Bastar
Various stalls at the exhibition reflected the development of Bastar region
Raipur, 03 February 2022/ During his one-day Chhattisgarh tour, MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi arrived at Raipur today and attended the mega event organized at Science College Ground as Chief Guest. Accompanied with Chief Minister and other ministers of the state, Mr. Rahul Gandhi visited various stalls at the development exhibition held at Science College Ground. As he entered the Bastar Dome, he was accorded traditional welcome as per the tribal culture. He was adorned with bison horn and tilak by Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel.
MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi visited various stalls and observed the development journey of Bastar. He learned about the transformation that government schemes have brought in the lives of the beneficiaries. He also got his photograph clicked with the dance troupe from Aasna area of Bastar. Mr. Rahul Gandhi also made a diya on potters’ wheel at the stall of Mati Kala Board.
While interacting with the beneficiaries of various schemes, he received various gifts such as ‘Tumba’, table lamp, a bottle made of clay and a pen stand made of wood. At Denex’s stall, women presented him a Nehru jacket of Denex Brand. Mr. Rahul Gandhi wore the jacket with great affinity said that it is very comfortable. At the stall of Denex Brand of Dantewada in Bastar Dome, MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi spoke to the women and youth of Haaram village, who work at the readymade garments manufacturing unit. He encouraged them to go through their experiences and keep moving forward. In this unit established in Naxal-affected Dantewada district, more than one and a half thousand families are getting employment. Many companies have signed MoUs worth Rs.400 crores with Denex for five years.
Mr. Gandhi also enjoyed teekhur shakes and puddings from the Kondanar brand of Kondagaon and tasted the filter coffee of Jheeram from Darbha at Bastar Cafe. He praised the taste and quality of these products from Bastar, and insisted upon the promotion of these products on a larger scale. It is noteworthy that Coffee plantation has been done on 20 acres in Jheeram area. Graffiti artist Mr. P. Rao presented a painting of Danteshwari Mai made from mural art to Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Sukman, who came from village Tumnar in Naxal-affected Narayanpur district, presented an attractive Tumba light lamp made from dried gourd to MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Chamru Ram of Soupgaon presented a water bottle made of clay and a wooden pen stand to Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Gandhi graciously accepted the gifts and thanked them for their affectionate gesture.
MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi also interacted with the beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana from Sukma and asked them about the well-being of the children. Rashmita’s mother told that earlier Rashmita’s weight was 8 kg and she was physically weak. She was admitted to the NRC, where she received free treatment, and within two months her weight has increased to 9 kg 200 grams. Now she is healthy and active. MP Shri Rahul Gandhi also fed nutritional food to Rashmita.
MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi also had a meeting with the representatives of Sarv Chattisgarhia Samaj Ekta Complex. He had a detailed discussion with Mr. Suresh Karma and Mr. Hira Lal, the representatives of the community. They informed that government has allotted 5 acres of land to build a huge premise for the social and cultural activities of 12 different communities of Dantewada district. This initiative will unite people socially and culturally. Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the development of this premise. The representatives of the communities also presented a portrait of Rahul Gandhi made from paddy. Mr. Gandhi also met the representatives of Bastar Academy of Dance Art, Literature and Languages organization ‘Badal’. This institution has been established to preserve the folk dance, folk songs, local language literature and craftsmanship of Bastar. Badal members Mr. Girdhar Kashyap, Mr. Sajuram Maurya, Mr. Pilaram Kashyap described it as a unique initiative of the district administration.
MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi also visited Bastar Papaya Stall. In Teerathgarh area of Darbha block of Bastar district, papaya is being produced on a large scale. 5500 saplings have been planted on10 acres of land by 1500 women. In just 6 months, nearly 225 tons of papaya has been produced and a profit of Rs 29 lakhs has been earned. Hema Kashyap told that papaya cultivation has proven to be life-changing practice for all of them.
He observed the model of Girdal Para Hydro Power Based Pumping Scheme Irrigation District Sukma displayed at the exhibition. This project has enabled 24×7 irrigation facility without any dependence on electricity or fuel. Hundreds of farmers are being benefited by this project. Under the scheme, 80 acres of land is being irrigated and 46 farmers are getting benefitted.
At the stall of Kanker Valley Sitaphal Project, MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi had a keen look on the technology of making pulp and ice cream from Sitaphal. At the stall, Mr. Satish Mishra informed that 5000 families in the district are getting employment from Sitaphal processing work. Mr. Gandhi visited the stall called ‘Vanopaj Se Samridhhi Ki Or’ from Dantewada district. Various products made of Mahua were also put on display here. He visited the processing units of Ragi, Kodo, Kutki and asked about the products made of millets.
MP Rahul Gandhi also visited Kalagudi, a special initiative to conserve and promote the ancient arts of Bastar including Dhokra Bell Metal, Wrought Iron, Tumba, Sheeshal, Wood and Bamboo arts etc. This initiative is also providing employment to more than 500 artisans. Mr. Rahul Gandhi
Mr. Rahul Gandhi asked the artisan Mr. Rajendra Baghel about the cost, marketing and cost of making crafts. Shilpi Raju Rao gave him about the details of the mural painting. At Mati Kala Board stall, Mr. Rahul Gandhi tried his hand at the potters’ wheel and shaped an earthen lamp ‘diya’. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel also made diyas on the wheel. MP Rahul Gandhi spoke to the students of Swami Atmanand English Medium School, Sukma, Kanker and Jagdalpur. He asked Anuti from Jagdalpur, Ansh Choudhary and Ashish Durga from Kanker about their studies. Mr. Gandhi was greatly impressed by the fluency of students in English language. He encouraged the children to study diligently and move ahead in life with confidence.
MP Mr. Rahul Gandhi also took information about the bike ambulance facility being provided in naxal-affected areas of Narayanpur district to transport pregnant women to the hospital for delivery. He was informed that the bike ambulances are playing an important role in ensuring institutional delivery and in providing timely treatment to the pregnant women of naxal affected areas of Bastar. In Narayanpur district alone, 07 bike ambulances have so far taken more than three and a half thousand pregnant women and about one thousand 100 malnourished children to the hospital for treatment.
