Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai thanks Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda

Raipur, July , 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday welcomed the National Medical Commission's (NMC) approval for the establishment of five new Government Medical Colleges in Geedam (Dantewada), Kunkuri (Jashpur), Manendragarh, Janjgir-Champa and Kabirdham from the 2026-27 academic session. Each college has been sanctioned with 50 MBBS seats, taking the total addition to 250 MBBS seats in the State.

Describing the approval as a landmark for Chhattisgarh's healthcare and medical education sector, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the expansion would strengthen both healthcare infrastructure and opportunities for aspiring doctors. He said the state government is committed to building an inclusive and modern healthcare system where students can pursue quality medical education within the state and citizens have access to better healthcare closer to home.

Shri Sai said the establishment of medical colleges from Geedam in Dantewada, once affected by Naxalism, to Kunkuri in the tribal region of Jashpur reflects the Double Engine Government's commitment to ensuring that development reaches every part of Chhattisgarh. Besides creating new opportunities for students, the institutions will help improve the availability of specialist healthcare services in remote and tribal regions.

He added that the initiative is part of the Centre's sustained focus on strengthening healthcare and medical education under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The new colleges will enable more students from remote, tribal and aspirational districts to pursue medical education within the state while creating a stronger healthcare ecosystem across the region.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, Shri Sai thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J.P. Nadda for their continued support in expanding the State's medical education and healthcare infrastructure.

He said the new institutions would serve not only as medical colleges but also as centres for research, specialist healthcare and human resource development. They are expected to produce a new generation of doctors while significantly improving access to quality healthcare in rural and remote areas.

Shri Sai expressed confidence that the approval would mark a new chapter in Chhattisgarh's healthcare and medical education sector and further strengthen the State's journey towards becoming a developed Chhattisgarh.

Her Legacy Will Inspire Generations, Says Chief Minister

Raipur, July , 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai paid heartfelt tributes to Padma Vibhushan awardee and world-renowned Pandvani exponent Dr Teejan Bai in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly during the Monsoon Session today, expressing profound grief over her demise.

Speaking during the obituary reference, the Chief Minister said that with the passing of Dr Teejan Bai, Chhattisgarh has lost one of the most precious jewels of its rich folk culture. Her demise marks an irreparable loss to the world of art and culture, he said.

Shri Sai noted that Dr Teejan Bai elevated the Kapalik style of Pandvani singing to unprecedented heights and, through her extraordinary talent, she earned national and international recognition for Chhattisgarh's vibrant folk traditions. Her performances were celebrated for their remarkable fusion of music and dramatic expression. Her vivid portrayal of characters, powerful oratory and captivating stage presence left audiences spellbound across the world.

Describing her life as a remarkable journey of struggle, dedication and perseverance, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Dr Teejan Bai emerged as a trailblazer at a time when women's participation in Pandvani was extremely limited. Defying deep-rooted social conventions, she carved out a distinct identity for herself and became an enduring source of inspiration for future generations.

He further said that through her acclaimed performances across Asia, Europe and several other parts of the world, Dr Teejan Bai firmly established Chhattisgarh's cultural identity on the global stage. In recognition of her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk arts, she received numerous national and international honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 2019, the Government of India conferred upon her the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian honour. She remains the only personality from Chhattisgarh to have received this prestigious distinction.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai also noted that President Smt Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers had paid rich tributes to Dr Teejan Bai, recalling her unparalleled contribution to the field of arts. He further mentioned that during his visit to Raipur for the State Foundation Day celebrations, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had spoken over the telephone with Dr Teejan Bai's family members to enquire about their well-being.

Shri Sai said that several universities had honoured Dr Teejan Bai with the honorary degree of D.Litt. Her immense contribution to the preservation and promotion of Indian folk music and folk culture, he said, will forever be remembered in golden letters. Her artistic excellence, lifelong dedication and unwavering commitment will continue to inspire future generations to cherish and carry forward India's rich cultural heritage.

On behalf of the House, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai offered humble tributes to the departed Padma Vibhushan Dr Teejan Bai and prayed for eternal peace for her noble soul. He also prayed that the Almighty grant strength to her bereaved family, countless admirers and the entire artistic fraternity to bear this profound loss.

छत्तीसगढ़ ने अपनी लोकसंस्कृति का अनमोल रत्न खो दिया: आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए सदैव रहेंगी प्रेरणा की स्त्रोत - मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय

रायपुर  जुलाई 2026/ छत्तीसगढ़ विधानसभा के पावस सत्र के दौरान मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने आज पद्म विभूषण से सम्मानित विश्वविख्यात पंडवानी गायिका डॉ. तीजन बाई के निधन पर शोक व्यक्त करते हुए उन्हें भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।

निधन उल्लेख के दौरान मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि डॉ. तीजन बाई के निधन से छत्तीसगढ़ ने अपनी लोकसंस्कृति का एक अनमोल रत्न खो दिया है। उनके जाने से कला एवं सांस्कृतिक जगत को अपूरणीय क्षति हुई है।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि डॉ. तीजन बाई ने पंडवानी गायन की कापालिक शैली को नई ऊंचाइयों तक पहुंचाया और अपनी विलक्षण प्रतिभा से लोककला को राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय पहचान दिलाई। उनकी प्रस्तुतियों में गायन और अभिनय का अद्भुत समन्वय देखने को मिलता था। पात्रों का सजीव चित्रण, ओजपूर्ण वाणी और प्रभावशाली प्रस्तुति श्रोताओं को मंत्रमुग्ध कर देती थी।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि डॉ. तीजन बाई का जीवन संघर्ष, साधना और समर्पण का प्रेरक उदाहरण है। जिस दौर में महिलाओं की पंडवानी गायन में भागीदारी अत्यंत सीमित थी, उस समय उन्होंने सामाजिक रूढ़ियों को चुनौती देते हुए अपनी अलग पहचान बनाई और आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए प्रेरणास्रोत बनीं। उन्होंने कहा कि डॉ. तीजन बाई ने एशिया, यूरोप सहित विश्व के अनेक देशों में अपनी प्रभावशाली प्रस्तुतियों के माध्यम से छत्तीसगढ़ की सांस्कृतिक पहचान को वैश्विक मंच पर स्थापित किया। उनके अद्वितीय योगदान के लिए उन्हें पद्मश्री, पद्मभूषण, संगीत नाटक अकादमी पुरस्कार सहित अनेक राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय सम्मानों से सम्मानित किया गया। वर्ष 2019 में भारत सरकार ने उन्हें देश के दूसरे सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान पद्म विभूषण से अलंकृत किया। यह गौरव प्राप्त करने वाली वे छत्तीसगढ़ की एकमात्र विभूति हैं।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मु, प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी तथा केंद्रीय मंत्रियों ने भी डॉ. तीजन बाई के कला क्षेत्र में अतुलनीय योगदान का स्मरण करते हुए उन्हें श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की है। उन्होंने यह भी उल्लेख किया कि राज्योत्सव के अवसर पर रायपुर प्रवास पर आए प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने डॉ. तीजन बाई के परिजनों से दूरभाष पर बातचीत कर उनका कुशलक्षेम जाना था।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि अनेक विश्वविद्यालयों द्वारा डॉ. तीजन बाई को डी.लिट्. की मानद उपाधि से सम्मानित किया गया। भारतीय लोकसंगीत और लोकसंस्कृति के संरक्षण एवं संवर्धन में उनका योगदान सदैव स्वर्ण अक्षरों में अंकित रहेगा। उनकी कला, साधना और समर्पण आने वाली पीढ़ियों को अपनी सांस्कृतिक विरासत पर गर्व करने और उसे आगे बढ़ाने की प्रेरणा देता रहेगा।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने सदन की ओर से दिवंगत पद्म विभूषण डॉ. तीजन बाई को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करते हुए ईश्वर से पुण्यात्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान देने की प्रार्थना की। उन्होंने कहा कि परमात्मा इस कठिन समय में शोकाकुल परिजनों, उनके असंख्य प्रशंसकों और कला जगत को इस अपार दुःख को सहन करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।

आज विधानसभा में मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णु देव साय ने षष्ठम विधानसभा के मानसून सत्र में विधानसभा अध्यक्ष डॉ. रमन सिंह से सौजन्य मुलाकात की। मुख्यमंत्री ने विधानसभा अध्यक्ष डॉ. सिंह को पुष्प गुच्छ भेंट कर उनका अभिनंदन किया।

रायपुर  2026/छत्तीसगढ़ विधानसभा के पावस सत्र के अवसर पर विधानसभा अध्यक्ष डॉ. रमन सिंह की अध्यक्षता में कार्य मंत्रणा समिति की बैठक आज विधानसभा के समिति कक्ष में आयोजित की गई। बैठक में मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णु देव साय, नेता प्रतिपक्ष डॉ. चरणदास महंत, उपमुख्यमंत्री श्री अरुण साव, संसदीय कार्य मंत्री श्री केदार कश्यप, कृषि मंत्री श्री रामविचार नेताम, वित्त मंत्री श्री ओ.पी. चौधरी सहित समिति के अन्य सदस्यगण उपस्थित थे।

Chief Minister Attends Oath-Taking Ceremony of Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh's Chhattisgarh State Board

Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the oath-taking ceremony of the Chhattisgarh State Board of the Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh at the Jan Darshan Hall of the Chief Minister's Residence in Raipur on July 12. Congratulating the newly appointed office-bearers and members, he said that the state government is fully committed to the holistic development of tribal communities and that tribal development in Chhattisgarh has gained unprecedented momentum. He expressed confidence that the newly constituted State Board would play a significant role in the upliftment of tribal communities, protection of their rights and promotion of social development. Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh President Shri Prakash Kumar Uikey, Smt Kaushalya Sai, Shri Rajesh Malviya, Shri Kunwar Jitendra Nar Singh Rana, members of the organisation and office-bearers from various states were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Chhattisgarh is a tribal-majority state, home to several tribal communities, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with their rich traditions, culture and values. He said that the formation of the Chhattisgarh State Board of the Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh is of great significance in such a state. He noted that the organisation has a distinguished history and has been dedicated to the welfare and upliftment of tribal communities across the country for many years.

He said that the historical importance of the Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh can be understood from the fact that India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, served as its first President, while former Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai also led the prestigious organisation. He congratulated all members of the newly constituted State Board and warmly welcomed office-bearers of the organisation from different parts of the country to Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government is giving the highest priority to the comprehensive development of tribal regions. He said that the Bastar region has entered a new era of development, with rapid expansion of roads, education, healthcare, drinking water, electricity, communication and other basic infrastructure. Bastar is also gaining recognition at the national and international levels as a tourism destination. Tourists are visiting the region in large numbers to experience its rich tribal culture, natural beauty and traditions, while staying in local homestays and contributing to the rural economy.

He said that for nearly four decades, many areas of Bastar remained outside the mainstream of development, and around 400 villages had not even been formally surveyed. The present government has completed surveys in these villages and accelerated development works. He informed that under the Niyad Nella Nar Yojana, roads, drinking water and other basic facilities have been extended to more than 500 villages. Ration cards are being issued to residents, new fair price shops have become operational and the benefits of various government welfare schemes are being delivered to people at a faster pace.