PM remembers Vajpayee, goes gaga over development in Chhattisgarh

Lauding Chief Minister Raman Singh for guiding Chhattisgarh on the development path in the last 13 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said there is a great scope for tourism in the state and added the impact of development initiatives will benefit generations to come.

Prime Minister Modi, who was speaking on the occasion of the state's Rajyotsav - the 16th foundation day celebrations at Naya Raipur - also used the occasion to shower praise on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision as the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh fifteen years ago.

"I am coming here to Chhattisgarh at a time when there is a festive season across the nation. On a day like this, we remember the work of our beloved Atal ji. He was the one who made Chhattisgarh. When the three states (Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand) were being created (in 2000), it was done in a very peaceful and harmonious manner by Atal ji," said Prime Minister Modi.

"For 13 years, Raman Singh ji has got the opportunity to serve the people of Chhattisgarh and create an atmosphere of development. Chhattisgarh shows the way and demonstrates how a relatively smaller state can scale new heights of development. The impact of the development initiatives will benefit generations to come in Chhattisgarh," he added.

Ecstatic with his visit to the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur, Prime Minister Modi said that there is scope for tourism in Chhattisgarh.

"I was taken to the jungle safari by the Chief Minister... It is his pet project. I see great scope for tourism in Chhattisgarh. It shows how a relatively smaller state can scale new heights of development. Its impact will benefit generations to come. Tourism is important because it gives economic opportunities to the poorest of the poor," he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the government's initiative on skill development helps the poor in particular and enhances their dignity.

"When I say the government has taken up work on skill development in a big way (then) who does this help? It helps the poor and enhances their dignity," said Prime Minister Modi.

"When a farmer produces something, the entire nation has to be the market. Value addition always helps the farmer. Glad to see Chhattisgarh has taken up initiatives that enable value addition for farmers," he added.

The state was formed on November 1, 2000, by partitioning 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking south-eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh. Raipur was made its capital city.

Chhattisgarh comprises 27 districts including Balod, Baloda Bazar, Balrampur, Bastar, Bemetara, Bijapur, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Dhamtari , Durg, Gariaband, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Kanker, Kabirdham, Kondagaon, Korba, Koriya, Mahasamund, Mungeli, Narayanpur, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Surguja, Sukma and Surajpur.