Raipur, July 19 The Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has said that Dr. Khoobchand Baghel was a leading minister who had awakened the Chhattisgarhi self-respect and helped in promoting Chhattisgarhi culture. Dr. Khoobchand Baghel was the foremost among all the leaders who helped in promoting the food habits, lifestyle, language, and dialect of Chhattisgarh. He struggled all his life for the rights and development of the farmers and tribal people.
The Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel was addressing the celebration event for Dr. Khoobchand Baghel’s anniversary in Raipur. The anniversary event was held in the Commercial premises situated in Phool Chowk. He paid his tribute by adorning the idol of Dr. Khoobchand Baghel. Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Vikas Upadhyay, Mayor of Raipur Mr. Ejaz Dhebar, Central President of the Chhattisgarh Manwa Kurmi Regional Society Mr. Chovaram Verma, Ex Rajyasabha Member Mrs. Chhaya Verma and many other officers were present on this occasion.
The Chief Minister said that Dr. Khoobchand Baghel was the true son of the motherland of Chhattisgarh. He is counted amongst Chhattisgarh’s most famous freedom fighters. Not only him, but his mother and wife as well had to be in jail during the freedom struggle. Dr. Baghel had been a good politician, and he raised his voice in favor of the common people in Vidhansabha and Loksabha while he acted as the MLA, MP, parliamentary secretary, and opposition leader. He worked for eliminating the evils and discrepancies from the society by spreading the motto of “Pankti Todo, Naata Jodo”.
The Chief Minister said that Dr. Khoobchand Baghel was the first person to raise his voice for constituting Chhattisgarh state. He strongly opposed oppression and atrocity in society. He always spoke against the injustice done to tribal people, laborers, and farmers.
Dr. Baghel was Chhattisgarh’s first playwright. He wrote many works like Unch Neech, General Singh, and Karam Chharha. He not only wrote plays but also acted in them. He was also a good farmer and physician. He contributed in the field of the cooperative.
The Chief Minister said that the Chhattisgarh Government is following the footsteps of Dr. Baghel and working towards the upliftment of farmers and tribal people. It’s working towards awakening Chhattisgarhi self-respect and providing a new identity to Chhattisgarhi culture. We are also working towards promoting our traditional festivals like Hareli, Teeja, and sports like Gedi, Bhaura.
Referring to the contribution of Dr. Khubchand Baghel in the work of promoting the culture of Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister said that Dr. Baghel had written a poem to overcome feeling of inferiority and hesitation related to ‘Baasi’ mentioning its nutritional value. He said that we have decided to celebrate May 1, Labor Day, as ‘Bore-Baasi Diwas’. The standard that Dr. Baghel has set for the upliftment of the farmer, laborer and tribal communities is relevant even today. He dedicated his life fighting for the rights and welfare of farmers.
Adding that the state government is also following his footsteps and working for the welfare of these aforementioned sections, Mr. Baghel said that our farmers are happy and are getting the highest price for their produce. Besides, an annual financial assistance of Rs 7 thousand is being provided to the landless laborers. For the upliftment of tribals, the number of minor forest produce purchased on support price has been increased from 7 to 65. The number of products made from these MFPs has increased from 150 to 600. The sale of the same has been started in the villages as well as in the cities through C-Mart. Now the products made by the women of Self Help Groups are being sold in C-Mart. Our basic objective is to boost the income of all sections of the society.
He added that Dr. Khubchand Baghel Swasthya Sahayata Yojana (DKBSSY) is being run by Chhattisgarh Government after his name. Under this scheme 65 lakh families of the state can take health benefits. So far 18 lakh families have taken advantage of this scheme. In this scheme, there is a provision to provide financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh to underprivileged families for treatment. The Central President of Chhattisgarh Manwa Kurmi Kshatriya Samaj Mr. Chovaram Verma, while presiding over the programme, threw light on the personality and work of Dr. Khubchand Baghel.
