There is a great need to develop Chhattisgarhi and create literature in the language, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Saturday.
He made the comment after virtually inaugurating from his residence a seminar organized at the hall of Mahant Ghasidas Memorial here on the occasion of 8th Chhattisgarhi Rajbhasha Diwas.
Felicitating nine people for their contribution in preserving and promoting Chhattisgarhi and its literature, Baghel said Chhattisgarhi, Hindi, Awadhi and Brij languages are contemporary but more literature has been created in the other languages as compared to Chhattisgarhi.
He said it was after the formation of the Congress government that the importance of Chhattisgarhi Rajbhasha and Chhattisgarhi Teej-festivals have gained their due importance.
The state government has declared Hareli, Teeja-Pora, Karama Jayanti and World Tribal Day as holidays, he pointed out.
Culture Minister Amarjeet Bhagat, Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, School Education Minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam, Women and Child Development Minister Anila Bhendiya and Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar were among those present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister appreciated women for coming to the seminar in Chhattisgarhi attire. Earlier, people were hesitant to speak in Chhattisgarhi, now they take pride in their language, he said.
Dignitaries honored on the occasion are Nandkishore Shukla (Bilaspur), Dr Pardeshiram Verma (Bhilai), Sanjeev Tiwari (Durg), Dr Rajan Yadav (Khairagarh), Vaibhav Pandey Bemetariha (Bemetara) and Dr. Chittaranjan Kar, Rameshwar Vaishnav, Devesh Tiwari and Sudha Verma (all Raipur).
