Rise above political commitments and give priority to public interest and public welfare – Governor Ramen Deka
Excellence Award Ceremony concluded under the chief hospitality of the Governor
Bhavna Bohra and Lakheshwar Baghel honored as outstanding MLAs
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Pandey, Yogesh Mishra and Vishwaprakash Purena awarded for excellent parliamentary reporting
Raipur. 16 July 2025 l The “Excellence Award Ceremony” organized in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly premises today under the chief hospitality of Governor Ramen Deka concluded in a dignified atmosphere. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh presided over the ceremony. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant attended the ceremony as special guests. In the “Excellence Award Ceremony”, Bhavna Vohra and Lakheshwar Baghel were honored as outstanding MLAs for the year 2024. Dainik Bhaskar’s special correspondent Dr. Rakesh Kumar Pandey, Sudarshan News Channel’s state bureau chief Yogesh Mishra and Sudarshan News’ cameraman Vishwaprakash Purena were honoured at the ceremony for excellent parliamentary reporting.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Saw and Vijay Sharma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap, MPs Jyotsna Mahant, Brijmohan Agarwal and Vijay Baghel, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh’s wife Veena Singh, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai’s wife Kaushalya Sai, ministers and MLAs also attended the “Excellence Award Ceremony”. A booklet focused on the enlightenment program of MLAs elected for the sixth assembly was also released at the ceremony.
Addressing the “Excellence Award Ceremony” as the chief guest, Governor Ramen Deka said that this ceremony is not only an occasion to honour individual achievements, but is also a medium to further strengthen our parliamentary traditions. He congratulated Smt. Bhavna Bohra and Lakheshwar Baghel selected for Outstanding MLA of the year 2024, and Dr. Rakesh Kumar Pandey, Yogesh Mishra and Vishwaprakash Purana selected for Outstanding Parliamentary Journalism.
Governor Ramen Deka said in the ceremony that all of you have worked to convey the activities of the Assembly to the public with honesty, sensitivity and responsibility. This role of yours is very important in ensuring transparency and accountability of democracy. Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has a healthy tradition where not only MLAs, but also journalists are honored. I urge all of you to always give priority to public interest and public welfare by rising above your political commitments.
Governor Deka said that Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has entered the silver jubilee year of its establishment. This occasion is a moment of introspection and new resolution for all of us. Respectful observance of parliamentary traditions and procedures is necessary to keep the soul of our parliamentary democracy alive. The real significance of any legislative house lies in public welfare. For the overall development of the country and the state, it is necessary that all the public representatives rise above party boundaries and work together in a spirit of coordination and cooperation.
Addressing the ceremony, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said that 90 MLAs of Chhattisgarh represent three crore people of the state. All of them are the best. Selecting two excellent MLAs every year is a difficult task. This time 50 new MLAs have been elected. The Vidhan Sabha of Chhattisgarh is a lively Vidhan Sabha. It has not given up its ‘Chhattisgarhia nature’. We actively and seriously discuss issues of public interest with harmony and cooperation.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said in his address at the program that today is a special day for all of us. ‘Excellence Award Ceremony’ is an occasion of pride and inspiration. Vidhan Sabha is the temple of democracy. It is the duty of the MLAs to raise issues of public interest here. Parliamentary reporting is a task full of vigilance and responsibility. Media representatives play an important role in this work. There is a tradition in our Vidhan Sabha to honor them to underline their basic role.
Sai said that the proceedings of our Vidhan Sabha are appreciated across the country. The active participation of MLAs and the continuous monitoring of the media has established Chhattisgarh as an ideal state in terms of democracy. Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha is the first and only such Vidhan Sabha in the country, where as soon as any MLA enters the sanctum sanctorum, he is automatically suspended. This uniqueness and self-discipline has given Chhattisgarh a new identity on the national stage. He said that in the past years, Chhattisgarh has not only made progress in the economic and social fields, but the Vidhan Sabha and parliamentary functioning here have also emerged as an example in the entire country.
Addressing the ceremony, Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Dr. Charandas Mahant, while congratulating the honored MLAs and journalists, said that there have been differences of opinion among the members of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha regarding the issues of the state, but there has never been any difference of opinion among them. He said that with the arrival of Dr. Raman Singh as the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, better coordination between the ruling and the opposition has been seen in the House and we are all moving forward with unity and brotherhood. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap expressed his gratitude to the guests and people who attended the function. Assembly Secretary Dinesh Sharma delivered the welcome address.