Team News Riveting
Raipur, July 17
Chhattisgarh on Monday celebrated Hareli Tihar with enthusiasm and fervour across the state.
Hareli Tihar stands for greenery and is considered to be Chhattisgarh’s first festival in the festive series. Basically, a festival of farmers, the agrarians organise a series of events to mark the occasion. It includes special prayers, enjoying delicious traditional dishes and participating in the traditional sports.
The official residence of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who took special initiative to promote the festival, was decorated to reflect rural surroundings and Chhattisgarhi culture. People present at the Chief Minister’s residence enthusiastically participated in Hareli by enjoying Chhattisgarhi music, folk dance, traditional Gadba Baja, Raut Nacha, Gedi dance, Rahchuli and various Chhattisgarhi dishes and delicacies.
An exhibition showcasing various dairy products and animal feeds was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry. People were interested in the stall of traditional agricultural equipment, and they were reminded of farming and agriculture in the past. On this occasion, folk artists also performed Raut Nacha and Gedi dance, which were appreciated by everyone.
Addressing the gathering, Baghel said that the Hareli Festival was not just about riding ‘Gedi’. Hareli is the celebration of life…a festival of joy. “Earlier, the financial condition of our farmers was weak, but over the span of the last five years, our agriculture-friendly schemes have transformed the lives of farmers, and made them more prosperous,” he said.
The Chief Minister said they had formulated and implemented the schemes taking the interest of farmers and labourers into account. As a result, the area under agriculture has significantly increased, and now the decision to procure 20 quintals of paddy per acre has doubled the joy on the occasion. Godhan NYAY Yojana has improved the milk production in the state. “Our government schemes are positively transforming the economic condition of rural and urban areas, and this is the reason why the excitement for the Hareli festival is at its peak,” Baghel said.
Extending greetings of Hareli festival to the people of the state, the Chief Minister wished for a good harvest and prayed for the prosperity of the farmers. Baghel said on the occasion of Hareli, farmers worship their agricultural implements and feed ‘Londi’ to their cattle. The positive impact of government schemes is evident in the tribal areas as well. Preserving and promoting our indigenous culture has been our top priority. We have taken effective steps towards preserving the faith centers in the tribal areas.
Ghotuls are being preserved and restored in Narayanpur. “We are moving forward in the direction of saving the indigenous culture through Badal in Asana of Bastar. Chhattisgarh has a rich tribal culture and we are making consolidated efforts to preserve this culture and the cultural heritage,” he added.
The Chief Minister said Swami Atmanand Schools had been started where a large number of students were receiving quality education in English medium. Through Ramayana Mandalis, they aimed to inculcate the ideals of Lord Rama in the lives of the people. The National Ramayana Festival held at Raigarh was a mega success. Along with religious centers like Chandkhuri, Shivrinarayan and Rajim, Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit is being developed in full swing.
Baghel added, “Right from the beginning of our tenure, weare working to restore Chhattisgarhi culture. The stale, traditional food of labourers and farmers ‘Bore-Baasi’ has now made it to the menu of five-star hotels,” he said. People are taking pride in their culture, manifesting the belief of ‘Chhattisgarhiya, Sable Badiya’.
