Raipur// Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh is a unique blend of dense forests, rich natural resources, vast mineral reserves, a valuable folk cultural heritage and mesmerizing natural beauty. Naxalism, which had long been the biggest obstacle to the development of this land, has now been addressed by the double-engine government. He made these remarks during an interaction with a study team of military and civil service officers from the National Defence College at his residential office in Raipur. Chief Minister welcomed the officers from India and abroad and honoured them with traditional shawls and mementoes.

The delegation, led by Air Commodore Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, shared its experience of visiting Chhattisgarh and appreciated the state’s geographical, cultural and administrative features. The delegation also presented a military memento to the Chief Minister.

Addressing the group, Shri Sai described Chhattisgarh as a region marked by dense forests, abundant mineral resources, rich folk traditions and natural beauty. He noted that nearly 46 per cent of the state’s geographical area is covered by forests. He referred to initiatives such as the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and the CAMPA scheme as key contributors to this green cover. He said the state is rich in mineral resources, ranging from coal to diamonds. Chhattisgarh is currently a power-surplus state, producing around 30,000 megawatts of electricity. Over the past two years, investment proposals exceeding ₹3 lakh crore have been received in the energy sector, which are expected to add significant new capacity in the coming years.

Chief Minister stated that coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, have pushed the Naxal issue towards resolution. This, he said, will further accelerate peace and development in the state.

Referring to agriculture, he said Chhattisgarh is known as the “rice bowl” and highlighted the state’s paddy procurement policy. Farmers are being paid ₹3,100 per quintal, with procurement of up to 21 quintals per acre, which has strengthened their financial position. On women’s welfare, he spoke about the ‘Mahtari Vandan Yojana’, under which more than ₹16,000 crore has been disbursed to women so far. In addition, over 5.3 lakh landless agricultural labourers are being provided annual assistance of ₹10,000. Shri Sai also spoke about the state’s art, culture, cuisine, customs and traditions, and shared his political and social experiences with the delegation.

Foreign Delegates Call Chhattisgarh ‘Wonderful’, Conclude Visit with Lasting Memories

Foreign military officers in the study delegation described their visit to Chhattisgarh as “wonderful and memorable,” noting that the state is marked by geographical diversity and fertile land. They made special mention of the tribal culture and natural beauty of the Bastar region.

Air Commodore Ajay Kumar Chaudhary said that clear leadership and strong policy direction have led to visible positive changes in the state. He noted that the morale of security forces has improved, enabling more effective action against Naxalism. He also pointed to the impact of government schemes, including those focused on women’s empowerment and housing, stating that their benefits are visible at the grassroots level. He described Chhattisgarh’s overall development as the result of capable leadership.

Among those present during the interaction were Chief Minister’s Secretary Shri Rahul Bhagat, IG Shri O P Pal, and members of the study team including IPS officer Amandeep Singh Kapoor, Colonel Lu Zaw Aung from Myanmar, Brigadier Mohammad Shahid Ahmed, Colonel Uchino Tomofumi from Japan, Brigadier Kunwar Man Vijay Singh Rana, Sushri Supriya Ghagh, Brigadier Shishir Thamayyia, Brigadier General Firdous Arif Ahmed from Bangladesh, Brigadier Ketan Arun Mohite, Brigadier Aniruddh Chauhan, Air Commodore Moolnath Girish, Dr Rajesh Kumar Asthana, Colonel Samten Chenor from Bhutan, and Colonel Konstantinos Niras from Greece.

Meanwhile, the National Defence College conducts a one-year course annually. This year marks its 66th programme, with 120 military and civil officers undergoing training. As part of this programme, a 15-member team visited Chhattisgarh for a study on economic security and strategy, which included five foreign military officers. During their visit, the officers first reviewed urban planning and administrative systems in Nava Raipur. They held discussions with officials from the agriculture and forest departments and visited the Jungle Warfare College in Kanker and a Krishi Vigyan Kendra. In Bastar, they engaged in detailed discussions on security-related matters, observed the work of security forces, visited key tourist sites, and attended government events showcasing local art and culture. Their itinerary also included visits to the Chitrakote Waterfall and the Shilpgram in Kondagaon. On the following day, they visited the Bhilai Steel Plant and a police station in Bhilai to understand law and order systems.