Chhattisgarh

• 28 Apr 2022

Three-day Khairagarh Festival inaugurated

Why In News?

• On April 27, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the three-day Khairagarh Festival at The Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh in Rajnandgaon district.

Key Point

• During this period, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 6.51 crore and refunded an amount of Rs.1.57 crore to 17,127 investors of Rajnandgaon district who were victims of cheating by the chit fund company.
• Chief Minister Baghel also inaugurated 9 Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium Schools set up at a cost of Rs.14.74 crore in Rajnandgaon district.
• Khairagarh Festival is being organized by Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya Khairagarh from April 27 to 30, 2022.
• The Chief Minister saluted the founder of Khairagarh Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, King Virendra Bahadur Singh and Rani Padmavati Devi and Princess Indira of Khairagarh.
• Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya is the first university in Asia dedicated to the visual and performing arts. It is the only university of music and fine arts in India.
• In 1956, the then king of Khairagarh princely state, Virendra Bahadur Singh and Rani Padmavati Devi, had donated their palace to open a university of music and fine arts and named it after their daughter 'Indira'.

Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated in Chhattisgarh as 'Mati Pujan Diwas'

Why In News?

• On April 27, 2022, instructions were issued by the state government following chief minister Bhupesh Baghel's announcement regarding the observance of Akshaya Tritiya as 'Mati Pujan Diwas' in the state.

Key Point

• It may be mentioned that the State Government is taking several initiatives to promote organic farming. In this link, work is being done to promote the use of cow urine and other organic substances in a big way along with the use of vermi-compost in place of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for the revival of soil fertility.
• Taking this aim forward, a mega campaign to celebrate 'Mati Pujan Diwas' is being launched in the state on Akshaya Tritiya on May 3 this year.
• As per the instructions issued regarding the event, a state level programme will be organized in the capital Raipur on the occasion. At the same time, mati pujan will be performed traditionally by organizing programmes at all gram panchayat, janpad panchayat and district panchayat level.
• In the Mati Pujan programme, an oath will be taken to protect mother earth and the chief minister's message will be read out.
• The programmes will be attended by the ministers in-charge of the districts, MLAs, representatives of three tier panchayats and farmers and citizens. Active participation of social organisations and school and college students will also be ensured in this important event related to environment.
• It is worth mentioning that Akshaya Tritiya is also known as 'Akti' in Chhattisgarh.