Raipur
In Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, where once the guns of bullets were heard, there is now a buzz of happiness and gaiety everywhere. Due to the good governance of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and the Naxal rehabilitation policy of the Government of Chhattisgarh and the impact of the Nallanar Yojana, the young men and women who have returned to the mainstream have started a new life by leaving the path of Maoist violence. The mass wedding ceremony organized in Bastar division under the Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana has witnessed this change.
On 13 January 2025 at Sukma’s mini stadium, two surrendered Naxalite couples Mahesh-Hemla Munni and Makam Pandu-Rava Bhime married Vedic customs in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai. The four had surrendered leaving the Naxal organization in June 2024. The Chief Minister blessed the newcomers and wished him a happy life. On this occasion, Sai also gave a gift of development works worth Rs 206 crore to Sukma district. The newcomers said that the public interest policies and rehabilitation schemes of the Chhattisgarh government inspired them to leave the path of violence and take the path of peace and development.
Mass marriage of 220 couples in Dantewada, Naxal victim married with jawan
On 20 December 2024 in the temple premises in Dobra, Dantewada, 220 couples started a household life by tied in the knot under the Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana. These included a Naxalite victim of the village of worship and a pair of jawan stationed there. Puvarti, who was once the stronghold of the dreaded Naxalite Hidma and Deva, is now afraid of the government’s plans and the presence of security forces and is moving towards prosperity. Two couples of Dhurli village Seema Bhaskar-Ramesh Bhaskar and Sundari Talam-Dhannu Kunjam also married under the Nayed Nellanar scheme. An amount of Rs 35 thousand was transferred to the bank accounts of all the newcomers.
Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana: Support of poor families
Under the guidance of Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade, the Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana has given new life to the poor families of Bastar. Under the scheme, assistance of 50 thousand rupees is given to each couple, in which 35 thousand rupees are directly transferred to the bride’s account. During the tenure of Vishnu Dev Sai Sarkar, the marriage of more than 15 thousand couples has been completed under this scheme so far.
New story of peace and development in Bastar
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the anti -Naxal actions and welfare schemes of the Chhattisgarh government have encouraged the villagers of Bastar. The surrendered Naxalites are getting an opportunity to live a respectable life through employment, housing and financial assistance. These marriage ceremonies of Bastar division proved that violence and hatred can be defeated by love, trust and sympathy. Bastar is now shining in the light of peace, love and development, coming out of the darkness of Naxalism.
