Raipur. On Thursday morning, the second day of his two-day visit to Bijapur, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma visited the rehabilitation center and had a cordial meeting with the rehabilitated youth. On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister sat with the youth, had breakfast, and inquired about their well-being. While inquiring about the facilities available at the rehabilitation center, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma urged the youth to maintain regular contact with their families. He explained that their relatives visit the weekly market in Bijapur on Sundays, so they should visit the rehabilitation center and meet them. Additionally, they should regularly communicate with their families via mobile phones to check on their well-being. It is noteworthy that all rehabilitated youth have also been provided with free mobile phones.

The rehabilitated youth reported that they are using their mobile phones to access WhatsApp, YouTube, and also shop online. They expressed their satisfaction with the mobile phone services and the rehabilitation center's facilities. Mr. Sharma also spoke with the youth participating in the Bastar Olympics about their experiences. Youth who participated in various sports, including kabaddi and tug-of-war, shared their experiences.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that after the Bastar Olympics, a grand Bastar Pandum is being organized, featuring competitions in 12 disciplines. Bastar's tribal culture, cuisine, dance, and traditional arts will be showcased. He urged the rehabilitated youth to participate enthusiastically in the Bastar Pandum, so that Bastar's rich culture can be promoted to the nation and the world. The youth expressed enthusiasm for participating. The Deputy Chief Minister encouraged them to invest their time in the skill training programs conducted at the rehabilitation center, acquire knowledge, and become financially self-reliant. He explained that many young people, who are currently illiterate, have been connected to education under the literacy program and are also being enrolled in literacy tests.

Sharma inquired from the youth about the collection of Bastar's valuable forest produce, such as tamarind, tora, mahua, amla, chironji, and tendu leaves. Emphasizing the scientific collection, processing, and value addition of forest produce, he said that Bastar's forest produce symbolizes Bastar's prosperity. By properly processing and joining government schemes, youth can become economically empowered. The government will provide all possible assistance for this purpose.

On this occasion, ADG Naxal Operation Vivekananda Sinha, Secretary Panchayat Department Bhim Singh, Bastar Commissioner Doman Singh, IG Sundarraj P, Director Ashwini Dewangan, Collector Sambit Mishra, Superintendent of Police Dr Jitendra Yadav, DFO Shri Ranganathan Ramakrishnan, District Panchayat CEO Smt Namrata Choubey and other senior officers were present.