Raipur: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that Swami Vivekananda, at a young age, enhanced the nation's prestige by introducing the entire world to India's eternal culture, spirituality, and philosophy. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai was addressing the youth at the send-off ceremony held this evening at the Chief Minister's residence in Raipur, the capital. The event was organized by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that National Youth Day is celebrated every year on January 12th, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, and the National Youth Festival is organized. This festival is a powerful symbol of India's youthful energy, creativity, and spirit of nation-building.

He said that it is a great privilege for the people of Chhattisgarh that Swami Vivekananda spent most of his time in Raipur. The memories of sacred sites like Budha Talab and Day Bhavan remain a source of inspiration for the youth even today.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that 75 talented youth have been selected to represent Chhattisgarh at this year's National Youth Festival, a matter of pride for the entire state. These include 45 from the Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue, 1 from the Design for India track, and 29 participants from cultural tracks. He stated that representing Chhattisgarh's youth at the National Youth Festival is a golden opportunity to showcase India's youth power, creativity, leadership capabilities, and commitment to a developed India. He stated that Chhattisgarh's youth will showcase Chhattisgarh's rich culture, folk dances, folk songs, and youth leadership on the national stage. This will spread the fragrance of Chhattisgarh's soil throughout the country and bring pride to the state. Chief Minister Shri Sai congratulated and wished all the selected participants at the national level.

It is noteworthy that the youth of Chhattisgarh will arrive in New Delhi on January 9th and meet and exchange ideas with young artists and young leaders from various parts of the country. On January 11th, they will meet ISRO's Gaganyaatr Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and draw inspiration from his space experiences. Additionally, on January 12th, on National Youth Day, the illustrious Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will address the country's young participants.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that youth power is the identity of the nation and youth power is the national strength. Citing Swami Vivekananda's famous message – "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached," he urged the youth to draw inspiration from it.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao said that wherever there is a youth group, there is a natural flow of energy. Our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's dream is that the country's young leaders should lead in all fields. Our government has successfully organized the Youth Festival with excellent arrangements, from the block level to the state level. He also praised the departmental officials for this. Shri Sao also congratulated and wished all the selected participants.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai presented costume kits to the selected participants from the main stage. Some participants also shared their experiences.

On this occasion, Youth Commission Chairman Shri Vishwavijay Singh Tomar, Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Shri Yashwant Kumar along with other departmental officers and participants were present in large numbers.