Respect food, recognise farmers’ contributions and protect natural resources: President
Equal participation of youth and women essential to building a Developed India
Where darkness of terror once prevailed, the light of development is now spreading: President
‘Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan’ organised on Nuakhai Juhar in the gracious presence of President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu’s life is an inspiration for the country’s daughters and youth: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
A total of 2,548 people, including 1,188 women, donate blood at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’s mega blood donation drive
Raipur, October 2026: Young people should dream big, broaden their perspectives and connect their personal success with service to society and the nation, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday. She urged them to pursue their aspirations with determination and ensure that their individual achievements contribute to collective and national progress.
The President was addressing the ‘Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan’ programme organised on the occasion of Nuakhai at the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur. Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, and a large number of young people, women and representatives of different sections of society attended the event.
President Murmu said that circumstances and challenges may differ, but every young person should have the desire to innovate, improve society and establish an identity through meaningful work. The country’s progress would accelerate when individual efforts were aligned with collective and national objectives.
Extending her greetings on Nuakhai, the President said the festival was not merely a cultural celebration but also an expression of India’s rich traditions, mutual harmony and social unity. Such occasions help people remain connected to their roots, take pride in their cultural heritage and pass Indian values on to future generations.
She described Nuakhai as a festival that preserves agricultural traditions, expresses gratitude towards nature and strengthens community bonds. Food, she said, was not merely a means of satisfying hunger but also represented the hard work of farmers, the generosity of the earth and nature’s invaluable gifts.
“Respecting food, acknowledging the contribution of farmers and protecting natural resources are our collective responsibilities,” she said.
Youth should combine knowledge with humility and ambition with ethics
President Murmu urged young people never to stop learning. She encouraged them to read books, ask questions, explore new ideas and continuously improve their knowledge and skills. They should set clear goals, face challenges courageously and learn from both success and failure.
She said young people must combine knowledge with humility, ambition with ethics, and success with a spirit of service. Achievements acquire real meaning when knowledge helps those in need, talent provides solutions to problems and success becomes a means of bringing positive change to society.
The President emphasised that nation-building was not achieved through major decisions alone but also through the honest efforts of millions of citizens. Every young person should perform their duties with integrity, dedication and sensitivity. These qualities would strengthen their contribution to the vision of a Developed India.
Equal participation of women essential for a Developed India
Expressing happiness over the participation of a large number of women in the programme, President Murmu said their equal participation was essential to achieving the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
She observed that the nation could not progress to its full potential without empowering half of its population. The President called upon women to participate actively in the affairs of the country and society.
She also urged men, particularly young people, to ensure that their sisters and daughters had the environment and opportunities necessary to pursue their dreams without obstacles. Respect for women, she said, must be reflected not only in words but also in attitudes, behaviour and everyday conduct.
Development replacing the darkness of terror in Chhattisgarh
The President expressed satisfaction over the positive changes taking place in Chhattisgarh. She said the efforts of the Central and state governments, coupled with the determination of young people, were helping youth move away from the influence of Naxalism and join the mainstream.
“Where the darkness of terror once prevailed, the light of development is now spreading,” she said.
The transformation, she noted, was improving the lives of young people and their families while also accelerating the development of Chhattisgarh and the country as a whole.
Nuakhai symbolises social unity and the spirit of service: Governor Ramen Deka
Governor Ramen Deka extended Nuakhai Juhar greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, describing the festival as more than a celebration of the arrival of a new harvest. It represents gratitude towards Mother Earth, respect for farmers’ hard work and the joy of sharing happiness with one another.
He said the festival strengthens the state’s rich agricultural culture, social unity and traditions of mutual cooperation.
Describing President Murmu’s presence as a moment of good fortune and inspiration for the state, the Governor said her struggles, simplicity, dedication and spirit of service were exemplary. He encouraged young people to make service an integral part of their lives, stay away from substance abuse and negative influences, and contribute to nation-building through knowledge, skills and innovation.
Governor Deka said healthy, educated, culturally rooted and service-oriented youth formed the foundation of a strong society and a developed nation. He also praised blood donors, particularly women, and described blood donation as one of humanity’s noblest acts of service.
President’s life an inspiration for daughters and youth: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended a heartfelt welcome to President Murmu on behalf of the three crore people of Chhattisgarh. He said the President shared a deep and affectionate bond with the state and enjoyed immense respect and goodwill among its people.
The Chief Minister described her life as an inspiring example of perseverance, simplicity, service, education and determination. Her journey from a small village in Odisha to the country’s highest constitutional office, he said, was particularly inspiring for the nation’s daughters, young people and communities in tribal and rural areas.
Her guidance, he added, would encourage the youth of Chhattisgarh to set ambitious goals and contribute more actively to nation-building.
Sai said Nuakhai celebrated the state’s rich agricultural heritage, welcomed the new harvest and expressed gratitude towards Mother Earth. Chhattisgarh and Odisha share centuries-old social and cultural ties, and the Odia community has made a significant contribution to Chhattisgarh’s development through hard work, simplicity and a spirit of service.
He said organising the Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan programme on Nuakhai was an important initiative to connect cultural traditions with community service and youth empowerment.
Developed Chhattisgarh placing youth at the centre of progress
The Chief Minister said young people would play a decisive role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed India by 2047. The state government was placing youth at the centre of its efforts to build a developed Chhattisgarh by expanding opportunities in education, employment, skill development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said five new medical colleges had been started in Geedam, Kunkuri, Janjgir-Champa, Manendragarh and Kawardha to expand medical education.
A National Skill Training Institute is being established in Nava Raipur, where approximately 4,000 young people will receive modern technology and vocational training every year. The Chhattisgarh State AI Mission has set a target of training six lakh students in artificial intelligence.
Sai said the state’s new industrial policy was promoting employment and entrepreneurship. A startup fund of Rs 100 crore had been established under the Chhattisgarh Startup Promotion Policy to support youth innovation.
Initiatives were also underway to establish campuses of reputed institutions, including a forensic university, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT).
The state government has also decided to provide 10 per cent reservation to Chhattisgarh Agniveers who complete four years of military service in direct recruitment to the posts of police constables, forest guards and jail guards.
The Chief Minister said the government aimed to provide every young person in the state with adequate opportunities to progress, enabling their talent, energy and capabilities to become a driving force in building a developed Chhattisgarh.
2,548 people donate blood at mega blood donation drive
Chief Minister Sai congratulated the donors who participated in the mega blood donation drive organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, describing blood donation as a noble service to humanity.
A total of 2,548 people voluntarily donated blood during the campaign, including 1,188 women. The Chief Minister said the participation reflected Chhattisgarh’s strong spirit of service, social engagement and women’s empowerment.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma, Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel, Technical Education Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, MLA Purandar Mishra, other public representatives and a large number of distinguished citizens were present at the programme.
