Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced to observe ‘Goverdhan Pooja’, popularly known as ‘Gauri-Gaura’ festival in Chhattisgarh  on second day after Diwali, as ‘Gauthan Diwas’.

He was addressing the concluding session of ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Gyan Yagya Satsang’ organised at village Bhimbhauri of Berla block under Bemetara district on Monday.

He also unveiled the bust of late Koduram Verma, who was an archer par excellence. He also announced to rename the old private school of village after its former principal and educationist late Ratanlal Tikriha. He also announced to make budgetary provision for construction of stop-dam at Gudehili-Bhangari ghat in next budget.

He further said on ‘Goverdhan Pooja, in rural areas religious rituals are organised for cow and given ‘Khichadi’ as offering.

The state government is working to protect cows and for this purpose it is operating ‘Gauthan’ scheme in villages, he said.

Urging villagers, Baghel said people should cooperate to provide fodder in these ‘Gauthan’ as villagers’  participation is necessary to run it smoothly. The cow dung is being converted into compost and vermin-fertilizer.

He said recently, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had visited village Bancharoda of Abhanpur block and appreciated the scheme. Women by mixing soil have made 1 lakh lamps with cow dung, for which order has been already received.

Chief Minister made a call to shun use of plastic as it will also save the cattle from consuming it. He listed out benefits of ‘Gauthan’ scheme in employment generation.