Team News Riveting
Raipur, June 1
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said Lord Shri Rama belonged to everyone including Nishadraj and Shabri.
Addressing a mammoth gathering after inaugurating the Rashtriya Ramayana Mahotsav (National Ramayana Festival) in Raigarh on Thursday, Baghel said Lord Shri Ram spent 10 years of his 14-year exile in Chhattisgarh. And during the exile, Shri Rama faced extreme hardships and difficulties but he never lost the sight of his moral values and dignity. The time he spent in the forests played an important role in his journey to become Maryada Purushottam, Baghel said, adding that in this way, Chhattisgarh also has a part in his character building.
The three-day Mahotsav, organised for the first time in the country, would see a colour presentation from artists across the country and abroad. Besides Indonesia that has a glorious association with Ramayana, artists from Cambodia are also taking part in the Mahotsav that will conclude on June 3.
“Our Chhattisgarh is the state of Mata Kaushalya and Mata Shabri. This is the land of tribals and forest dwellers who have been living here for centuries. When Shri Ram was supposed to be crowned as a King, he had to go on exile. During his exile, Shri Ram met Nishadraj, Shabri Mata and several sages and ascetics. We in Chhattisgarh relate to both ‘Vanvasi Ram’ as well as ‘Kaushalya’s Ram’. As Chhattisgarh is the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, Shri Ram is considered as ‘Bhancha’ (nephew) in Chhattisgarh,” Baghel said.
The Chief Minister added that for the first time in the country, Ramayana Festival is being organized officially at the national-level in Chhattisgarh. Although it is a national event, but foreign teams like Cambodia and Indonesia are also participating, making this festival international. Chief Minister said,
“Today I witnessed a beautiful march past at the National Ramayana festival. Meanwhile, I also observed the march past of ‘Ramnami Sampraday Ka Ram’. They have dedicated their entire life to Shri Ram. They believe in the formless, as Kabir believes in the formless. In this way everyone has their own perception of ‘Shri Ram’.” Chief Minister said that the story of Shri Ram is enshrined in our hearts…. our day starts with ‘Ram-Ram’ and ends with ‘Ram-Ram’. Each and every village of our state has its own Ramleela mandali. We feel deep affinity with Shri Ram because Shri Ram belongs to everyone, he belongs to Nishadraj, he belongs to Shabri.”
Baghel said that he had written a letter to the Chief Ministers of the states having pilgrimage sites and requested for 2 acres of land there, so as to arrange for proper facilities for the pilgrims from Chhattisgarh to stay there. “In addition, we are also developing our pilgrimage sites to provide better facilities to the pilgrims coming from other states,” he said. Chief Minister said that Lord Shri Rama spent most of his exile with the forest dwellers. “We find an account of his connection with nature and forest dwellers in the Ramayana,” he added.
Chief Minister said that they had been organizing the National Tribal Festival for three years, with the objective to promote tribal culture. They have also been taking consolidated steps towards protection of Devgudis and Ghotuls.
