Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 22
The traders and vendors selling Diwali items in Chhattisgarh’s capital city today had an unexpected visitor. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel himself came out on the streets for Diwali shopping.
Baghel on Saturday evening dashed to the busiest Gol Bazaar in the heart of Raipur and purchased Diwali items from the local street-side vendors. The Chief Minister purchased earthen lamps, clay pots, idols of Ganesh, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Gwalin made of clay.
The festival of lights is a big business occasion for lakhs of potters, who come to the state capital from nearby villages to sell clay items including earthen Diyas (small oil lamps made of baked clay). For many, it is an annual business turnover.
Finding the Chief Minister at their counter was no less than a surprise. Baghel himself carried the shopping bags, collected the items and paid from his wallet.
Even as state government has taken a big leap forward to promote indigenous products and boost rural economy, Chief Minister appealed to the people of the state to buy locally prepared materials for the purpose of promoting Chhattisgarhi products and light up their homes and courtyards with the earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali. Baghel said that earthen lamps had been prepared by the potters with great dedication and hard work with the hope that on the occasion of Diwali, people would buy their diyas.
He added that thousands of potter families in Chhattisgarh are associated with their traditional profession and are making their living by preparing various types of clay pots and materials. “It is the responsibility of all of us that we cooperate in boosting their business and encourage them by purchasing clay material items manufactured by them,” the Chief Minister added.
Baghel later went to Lakhe Nagar and purchased crackers besides sweets.
