Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday participated in the oath-taking and felicitation ceremony of Neelu Sharma and Shashank Sharma, the newly appointed Chairmen of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi, respectively. The event was held at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur and was chaired by State Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh.
The Chief Minister honored both chairmen with traditional gamchas, floral bouquets, and mementos. The auditorium, packed with dignitaries, public representatives, and civil society members, resounded with applause and best wishes for the two appointees as they formally assumed their new responsibilities.
CM Sai: “Bastar Will Soon Be a Premier Tourist Destination”
Addressing the gathering, CM Sai said that Chhattisgarh has enormous untapped tourism potential, stretching from Surguja to Bastar. He asserted that the dual-engine government in the state has dealt a fatal blow to Naxalism, especially in Bastar, opening doors for tourism and development in the region.
“Abujhmad will no longer remain ‘abujh’ (incomprehensible); it will now see the light of development,” Sai said. “Tourism can create massive employment opportunities, and I’m confident that under the leadership of Neelu Sharma and Shashank Sharma, the state will achieve new milestones in tourism and literature.”
Raman Singh: “Chhattisgarh’s Forests Are Its Hidden Gems”
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, who presided over the event, highlighted Chhattisgarh’s unmatched biodiversity and historical heritage. “Our forests are captivating, and our legacy is still unexplored from a tourism perspective,” he said. He envisioned Bastar as the next big tourism hub of India, now that the region is opening up after the decline of insurgency.
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“Connectivity across the state is improving at a rapid pace, which will significantly boost tourism infrastructure and accessibility,” he added.
Ministers Emphasize Tourism as an Industry
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, and Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel also addressed the event. Sao pointed out that the government has granted “industry status” to tourism in Chhattisgarh, which will accelerate development and attract investment.
He praised the appointments of Sharma and Sharma, calling them “dynamic youth leaders” entrusted with key cultural and economic roles.
“Neelu Sharma’s leadership will be instrumental in elevating the state’s tourism profile, while Shashank Sharma’s literary acumen will enrich Chhattisgarh’s intellectual and cultural fabric,” Sao said.
New Chairmen Commit to Visionary Growth
Neelu Sharma expressed gratitude to CM Sai and acknowledged the responsibilities ahead. “This is both a challenge and an opportunity. We will not only enhance the beauty of our tourist spots but also initiate grassroots-level programs to strengthen the rural economy through tourism,” he stated.
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Shashank Sharma, an accomplished literary figure, emphasized that literature is a vital stream of development alongside other sectors. “Chhattisgarh has a rich literary legacy, and I will do everything to protect and promote our writers and their works,” he said, specifically acknowledging Rajnandgaon’s contributions to Indian literature.
Event Graced by Key Lawmakers and Cultural Leaders
The program commenced with a welcome address and report presentation by Vivek Acharya, Director of the Culture Department and Managing Director of the Tourism Board. The event was attended by Members of Parliament Brijmohan Agrawal, Santosh Pandey, and Vijay Baghel, along with several MLAs and chairpersons of various state corporations, boards, and commissions.
The large turnout and vibrant energy underscored the government’s focus on leveraging tourism and literature as tools for cultural empowerment and economic growth.
