Raipur (thestates.news) | The earthy fragrance of Chhattisgarh’s soil, the traditions of farms and fields, folk melodies, the rhythmic beats of _mandar,_ the exuberance of _gedi_ and the aroma of traditional cuisine came alive at the Chief Minister’s Residence in Nava Raipur today as the State celebrated its first folk festival, Hareli Tihar.
The Chief Minister’s Residence was transformed into a vibrant tableau of Chhattisgarh’s rich folk culture, agricultural traditions and rural life. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai performed various customary rituals on the occasion. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Ministers, elected representatives, office-bearers of various corporations, boards and commissions, farmers and a large number of citizens witnessed the celebrations.
Extending warm Hareli greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, particularly farmers, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Hareli celebrates the profound connection between the State’s agrarian culture, nature and rural life. The festival provides an opportunity to express gratitude towards the land, livestock, agricultural implements and nature.
*CM and Assembly Speaker Arrive in Pink Auto in Traditional Attire*
Chief Minister Shri Sai embraced the spirit of Hareli in every sense, appearing in traditional Chhattisgarhi attire. Accompanied by Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, he travelled to the programme venue in a pink auto driven by Smt. Sangeeta Yadav, an auto driver. Their arrival in the traditional attire and pink auto drew considerable attention and added a warm, personal touch to the festive atmosphere.
The celebrations began with Gauri-Ganesh and Navgraha Puja. Amid Vedic chants, the Chief Minister performed _abhishek_ of a Shivling and ritually worshipped agricultural implements including the nangar, rapa, kudal and spade, among other tools used in farming. He subsequently paid his respects to the statue of Chhattisgarh Mahatari.
Shri Sai said that by the time Hareli arrives, several major agricultural activities have been completed and farmers traditionally worship nature and their farming implements while praying for a prosperous agricultural year. The tradition, he said, reflects the deep understanding and respect that their ancestors had for nature.
*Traditional _Londi_ Offered to Cattle, Message of Livestock Conservation*
Chief Minister Shri Sai visited the gaushala located in the CM House, where he performed aarti and offered prayers to Gaumata. He fed the cow and calf green fodder, gram-jaggery and traditional ‘londi’. The folk tradition of feeding londi to livestock on Hareli is associated with prayers for the animals’ good health and protection from diseases.
Shri Sai said livestock is an integral part of family and agricultural life in rural Chhattisgarh. The State’s folk culture teaches sensitivity, respect and care for animals. He emphasised that preserving such useful and nature-friendly traditions and passing them on to the younger generation is an important responsibility alongside modernisation.
*Government Committed to Farmers’ Prosperity*
Chief Minister said that the Central and State governments have taken several important measures to strengthen farmers economically. The Kisan Credit Card, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, opened the way for farmers to access capital conveniently for agricultural activities.
After the formation of Chhattisgarh, the government led by Dr. Raman Singh progressively reduced the interest rates on cooperative agricultural loans, eventually bringing them down to zero per cent. Farmers today are able to access agricultural loans from cooperative banks at zero per cent interest.
He said continuous efforts are also being made to simplify crop insurance, expand irrigation facilities and take modern agricultural technology to farmers. The State government is procuring paddy from farmers at ₹3,100 per quintal, up to 21 quintals per acre, directly benefiting lakhs of farming families across the State.
*CM and Assembly Speaker Plant _Parijat_ Saplings, Highlight Nature Conservation*
Carrying forward Hareli’s message of environmental conservation, Chief Minister Shri Sai along with Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh planted a Parijat (coral jasmine) sapling at the Chief Minister’s Residence. On the occasion, Ministers and office-bearers of various corporations, boards and commissions also planted saplings of different species, reinforcing the message of environmental protection.
Shri Sai said Hareli teaches people not merely to take from nature but also to conserve and give back to it. Planting saplings is important, but protecting them is equally essential. By planting more trees and nurturing them until they mature, society can create a greener and safer future for coming generations.
*CM Explores Modern Agricultural Technology*
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai visited the agriculture and other departmental stalls set up at the venue. At the Agricultural Engineering Department stall, he took information about the utility and features of modern agricultural machinery.
Chief Minister handed over a ₹16 lakh cheque to Shri Indra Kumar Verma, a farmer from Raipur, towards the subsidy available on a harvester. He said modern technology and mechanisation in agriculture can reduce farmers’ costs and labour while increasing productivity.
*CM Applauds Drone Didi Chandrakali’s Success*
At the Agriculture Department stall, Chief Minister Shri Sai had a warm interaction with Drone Didi Smt. Chandrakali Verma. She informed him that she uses drones to spray nano urea, nano DAP and pesticides on agricultural fields and earns ₹300 per acre as remuneration.
Smt. Verma has so far used drones to spray crops across more than 2,500 acres and has earned approximately ₹7 lakh over the past two years.
Appreciating her achievements, Shri Sai said the use of technology in agriculture is creating new opportunities for women to earn and become self-reliant. Drone Didis, he said, are emerging as an inspiring link between modern agriculture and women’s empowerment.
At the National Mission on Natural Farming stall, the Chief Minister distributed mini-kits of pigeon pea (arhar) and black gram (urad) to farmers. He also gathered information about products prepared by Krishi Mitras, including Brahmastra, Neemastra and lip balm made from beeswax.
At the Horticulture Department stall, farmer Shri Ramvishal Nishad presented the Chief Minister with a neem sapling.
*Gedi, Billas, Goti and Bati Rekindle Memories of Rural Life*
The Chief Minister’s Residence was decorated for Hareli with neem and mango leaves, marigold flowers and traditional rural adornments. The moment visitors entered the premises, the ambience evoked the atmosphere of Chhattisgarh’s villages and traditional fairs.
Amid the greenery and folk décor, traditional games including gedi, billas, goti and bati emerged as major attractions. Artists and participants climbing the gedi brought one of Hareli’s most distinctive traditions to life, while the rural games introduced children and young people to Chhattisgarh’s traditional sporting culture. Rahchuli also attracted considerable interest, adding the cheerful atmosphere of a village fair to the celebrations.
*CM Joins Folk Artists in Dance*
Amid the beats of the mandar, dholak and other traditional musical instruments, folk artistes presented captivating Chhattisgarhi songs and dances. Further elevating the festive zeal and fervour, Chief Minister Shri Sai joined the performers dancing to folk tunes.
Stalls serving traditional Chhattisgarhi delicacies including thethri, khurmi and bada, among others, added the flavour of local cuisine to the celebration. Chief Minister visited the food stalls, interacted with citizens and artistes and shared in the joy of Hareli.
*Farmers’ Prosperity is the Foundation of Chhattisgarh’s Prosperity: Dr. Raman Singh*
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh described Hareli as an important folk festival rooted in Chhattisgarh’s agricultural traditions, culture and nature. He said that the path to Chhattisgarh’s greater prosperity will become stronger only when farmers’ homes are happy and villages are economically strong.
*Prosperous Farmers Will Make State and Nation Prosperous: Agriculture Minister*
Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam said that Hareli offers an opportunity to pass traditions on to the younger generation and take a renewed resolve to make agriculture more prosperous. If farmers prosper, both the State and the nation will prosper, he said.
In his concluding message, Chief Minister Shri Sai said Hareli is a celebration of Chhattisgarh’s folk identity and its roots. Amid the rapid pace of modern development, he said, preserving the State’s culture, traditional knowledge, rural games, folk arts and cuisine is a collective responsibility.
Praying to Baba Bholenath, Gaumata and nature to continue showering their blessings on Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the State’s fields would flourish, farmers’ homes would prosper and Chhattisgarh would continue to advance on the path of development and prosperity.
On the occasion, Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade, Revenue Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma, School Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, and Skill Development Minister Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb were also present.
