Raipur. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has greeted the people of the state on the occasion of ‘Hareli Tihar’.
In his congratulatory message issued today on the eve of Hareli,
Mr. Baghel has said that Hareli is a unique agriculture-centric cultural festival that embodies the sentiments of farmers and Chhattisgarhi residents in general.
In this well known local festival, the tools required in farming are worshiped and prayers are offered to hope for a good harvest. By worshiping Mother Earth on this day, we express our gratitude to her for providing us with sustenance.
Mr. Baghel said that the festival of Hareli is celebrated in every village with great enthusiasm and faith. All types of agricultural implements including nagar, pickaxe, spade, shovel are cleaned and worshipped.
In the traditional way, people celebrate Hareli by climbing a ‘Gedi’. According to ancient belief, neem leaves are planted outside the houses for protection from evil.
To save this glorious culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh, the Government of Chhattisgarh has also declared a public holiday on the day of Hareli festival.
The Chief Minister said that the ancient culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh is our pride. Chhattisgarh government has taken many important decisions to save its culture and traditions.
The ambitious and unique ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ of the state was launched two years ago on the day of Hareli. It is a matter of happiness that the ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ scheme has created a strong and new foundation for the economy of the villages.
Under the scheme, cow dung worth more than Rs 150 crores has been purchased from the cattle rearing villagers in the last two years. With this, more than 20 lakh quintals of organic manure has been prepared so far by self-help groups, due to which organic farming has been encouraged in the state.
This has also opened the way for the protection and promotion of livestock. An amount of more than Rs.143 Crores has been paid to women self-help groups and Gauthan committees through the manufacture and sale of vermi- manure.
Mr. Baghel has said that rural economy is being strengthened by reviving traditional resources by implementing Narva, Garwa, Ghurva, Bari Yojana, Godhan Nyay Yojana and Roka-Chheka campaign in Chhattisgarh.
Gauthans have been developed as rural livelihood centres. This year, from the day of Hareli, the purchase of cow urine at the rate of Rs 4 per liter is being started in Gauthans.
With this, a new chapter of organic farming and economic empowerment will start in the state. Jeevamrut and pest control products will be prepared with the help of women self-help groups from cow urine.
With this, the villagers will get employment and new source of income and organic farming will be encouraged and the cost of agriculturual expenses by farmers will be reduced.
The Chief Minister has said that it is the collective responsibility to mould our traditions according to modern needs. It is hoped that all the people of the state will participate in realising the vision of Nava Chhattisgarh while saving our traditional folk values.