Chief Minister Sai shared his experiences in a cordial dialogue with the students of Good Governance Fellowship of IIM Raipur
Taught the tricks of good governance from life experiences, gave inspiring answers to the curious questions of the students
When the Chief Minister said – “I am first the grandfather of you children, then the Chief Minister”
Raipur, 08 August 2025: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said that responsibility performed with honesty and integrity always gives positive results. Being engaged in public service with honesty and dedication, one definitely received the love and blessings of the public. Chief Minister Sai was addressing the ‘Chief Minister Good Governance Dialogue’ program organized in the newly constructed auditorium on the fifth floor of Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan today. This event was held with the students of Chief Minister Good Governance Fellowship studying at IIM Raipur, in which the Chief Minister made them aware of the nuances of good governance in a cordial dialogue and gave inspiring answers to their questions. Chief Minister Sai said that Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country to establish the Department of Good Governance and Convergence. E-office system has been implemented in the state, due to which all the files are being digitized. This has made the functioning of the government transparent and tracking of files has also become easy. He said that the government’s intention is to close all the routes of corruption. Chief Minister Sai said that the real good governance is that the public gets the real benefit of the government’s schemes. Schemes should be made thoughtfully, because the hard-earned money of the public is behind this. When the schemes are implemented effectively at the ground level, only then the common man gets its direct benefit.
Chief Minister Sai gave frank and inspiring answers to the curious questions of the students of Good Governance Fellowship during his interaction with them. When Arang Fellow Harshvardhan asked the Chief Minister about the most important lesson of his journey from being a Panch of village Bagiya to becoming the Chief Minister, Chief Minister Sai shared his political and family struggles and said – “After the death of my father at a very young age, the responsibility of the family fell on my shoulders. I had never imagined that I would also become a Panch, but whatever responsibility I got, I fulfilled it with full devotion.” He further said – “When you work with honesty and dedication, you get positive results. I never left the path of duty, and made public service the goal of my life. The public entrusted me with the responsibility of Panch, Sarpanch, MLA, MP, State Minister and now Chief Minister.”
When Fellow Manu Pandey from Bilaspur asked what would be the role of Chhattisgarh in the dream of developed India by 2047, the Chief Minister said – “The role of Chhattisgarh is very important in the resolution taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop India by 2047. Before 2014, India was at the tenth position in the economy, which has now reached the fourth position. We have also prepared a ‘Vision Document’ for developed Chhattisgarh. At present, our GSDP is Rs 5 lakh crore, which is targeted to be taken to Rs 75 lakh crore by 2047.” Chief Minister Sai said that this goal is not a fantasy, but a concrete plan, which we will definitely achieve.
Chief Minister Sai said that Chhattisgarh is a prosperous state – it has deposits of precious minerals like iron, tin, lithium, bauxite, gold and diamonds. 44% of the state’s land area is covered with forests, where there are hundreds of types of minor forest produce. The fertile soil and hardworking people here are the real strength of Chhattisgarh. Motivating the youth, the Chief Minister said – “With the determination and skills of youth like you, we will definitely build a developed Chhattisgarh.” When the Chief Minister said – “I am first the grandfather of you children, then the Chief Minister” During the dialogue, Fellow Bhaskar Sidar asked such a question, the answer to which filled the entire auditorium with joy and intimacy. Bhaskar told the Chief Minister that he is a resident of village Bansdand in Raigarh and when he told his father’s name, the Chief Minister immediately recognized his family. The Chief Minister said – “I have also been to your house. You were very young then.” He further said – “Your maternal grandfather, late Prem Singh Sidar, was an MLA from Lalunga and I have worked with him.” On this, Bhaskar asked smilingly – “Can I call you Nanaji?” The Chief Minister replied smilingly – “I am the grandfather of you children first, then the Chief Minister.” The auditorium echoed with applause and laughter on this answer of the Chief Minister. This moment was a proof of Chief Minister Sai’s spontaneity, intimacy and deep connection with the public.
Objective of Fellowship – To prepare responsible good administrators of the future In the program, Secretary of Good Governance and Convergence Department Rahul Bhagat presented a power point presentation on the outline of the Fellowship Scheme. He told that the objective of the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Fellowship is to prepare a skilled and responsible administrative generation by providing high level education and practical experience of governance to the talented youth of the state. Under this scheme, the Chhattisgarh government is conducting a postgraduate course in Public Policy and Governance in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur. Selected fellows will also be given opportunities for practical training in various departments of the government. Bhagat informed that the fellows will contribute to important tasks like data-based policy making, simplification of administrative processes, efficient use of resources, strengthening e-governance, and analysis of ground impacts of policies in the decision-making process of the government. Chief Minister releases prospectus of fellowship, also presents Anjor Vision Document Chief Minister Sai released the prospectus of Chief Minister Good Governance Fellowship Course and also presents a copy of Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision Document to the students. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department Manoj Pingua also guided the students. Secretary, General Administration Department Avinash Champawat, Special Secretary, Good Governance and Convergence Department Rajat Bansal, Joint Secretary Mayank Agarwal, professors of IIM Raipur and other dignitaries were present in the program.
