Raipur, 9 February 2022. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the statue of Amar Shaheed Gundadhur, installed at Ghari Chowk, Kanker, Municipality, from his Raipur residence office today, a day before Bhumkal Diwas. Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel while paying homage to Amar Shaheed Gundadhur said that he led the Bhumkal movement in Bastar. The Bhumikal movement started in the year 1909. This movement was a fight for the self-respect of the tribals, the water, forest and land of the tribals and the freedom of the tribals. He took on the British despite limited resources. He did not bow down to the British. He connected the tribal society.
Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha Shri Manoj Mandavi joined the program through video conferencing from Raipur. Parliamentary Secretary Shri Shishupal Sori, Municipality Kanker President Smt. Saroj Thakur, District Panchayat Kanker President Shri Hemant Dhruv, many public representatives, councilors, many officials of Gondwana society and a large number of dignitaries were present in Kanker on this occasion.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that even before the revolt of 1857, Raja Amar Shaheed Gaind Singh of Paralkot raised the bell of rebellion against the British in 1925. Amar Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh fought against the British in the battle of 1857. These people of ours did not pledge their freedom at any cost. The Chief Minister said that the invaluable contribution of our brave freedom fighters in the freedom struggle of the country could not be underlined the way it was to be highlighted. Now our tribal society is awakening and is remembering the contribution of these heroes along with them.
Addressing the program, Chief Minister Shri Baghel said that the state government has taken many steps in the interest of tribals. The work of giving forest rights to forest dwellers along with land wapsi, loan waiver of farmers was done by the state government. Forest produce is being purchased on support price and along with their value addition, Kodo, Kutki and Ragi are being purchased on support price. These works are strengthening the rural economy. Along with these, better measures have been taken to reach education and health facilities in the tribal areas. Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools were started to provide better opportunities of education to the children. There is no dearth of talent in children, the need is to provide them with good opportunities. He said that our tribal brothers do not go to the hospital, so Haat Bazar Clinic scheme was started, which has a happy result that there has been a reduction in the cases of vomiting, diarrhea and diarrhea in Bastar.
The Chief Minister said that there has also been a significant reduction in malaria cases due to the malaria eradication campaign in Bastar. The state government started Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan to fight malnutrition, which has reduced malnutrition among children and women. He said that it is the endeavor of the state government that the people of Bastar should be physically strong, educationally and financially strong, along with this if they get rights, then they will progress further. The Chief Minister said that no shortfall would be allowed in the development of Bastar. He appreciated the work of setting up the statue of the immortal martyr Gundadhur by the residents of Kanker to make their memories lasting.
Addressing the program, Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, Shri Manoj Singh Mandavi, who was associated with video conferencing from the program, said that the great hero of the Bhumkal revolution, Amar Shaheed Gundadhur, in 1910, 37 years before independence, fought against the British in the Vananchal region like Bastar, whose occupation I had the whole country. He mentioned in detail the work being done by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for the overall development of tribals and preservation of their culture and traditions.
Shri Shishupal Sori, Parliamentary Secretary, who was present at the venue in Kanker, while addressing the program said that the statue of Amar Shaheed Gundadhur being installed at the entrance of Bastar today in Kanker will make the entire Bastar including the tribal society proud. He said that the brave warriors of Bastar awakened the spirit of freedom and united the whole society. Many public representatives including Hemant Dhruv, President of District Panchayat Kanker addressed the program. The vote of thanks was done by the President of Municipality Kanker, Mrs. Saroj Thakur.
