Chief Minister Shri Sai crafted a diya on a potter's wheel and had a cordial conversation with traditional craftsmen: Surguja Vikas
The connection with the soil was shown in the exhibition during the meeting of the authority.
Raipur, February 17, 2026/ An intimate and simple side of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai was seen when he himself made clay diyas and kalashas on the potter's wheel, giving a strong message of respect and attachment towards traditional crafts.
The occasion was a meeting of the Surguja Development Authority, which he had attended in Baikunthpur, the district headquarters of Korea. The meeting was held in the District Panchayat meeting hall, along with an exhibition of self-help groups and local products on the premises. At this exhibition, craftsman Shri Devi Dayal Prajapati, a resident of the Sonhat development block, was giving a live demonstration of making clay diyas and kalashas on an electric wheel. During the inspection, Chief Minister Shri Sai visited his stall and closely observed his craftsmanship for some time. Intrigued by the art, the Chief Minister expressed his desire to try his hand at the wheel himself. With the craftsman's consent, he adjusted the wet clay placed on the rotating wheel with his hands, instantly shaping it into a beautiful diya. The craftsman himself was astonished by the Chief Minister's effortless skill, while the crowd present welcomed the moment with thunderous applause.
During this visit, Chief Minister Shri Sai inquired from craftsman Devi Dayal Prajapati about his business, income and family and encouraged him to take advantage of various self-employment and artisan-friendly schemes of the government. He said that the state government is continuously striving to empower traditional crafts, artisans and rural livelihoods, so that local art and skills can get a new identity and market.
On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Food Minister Shri Dayal Das Baghel, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, Vice President of Surguja Development Authority Smt. Gomti Sai, MP Shri Chintamani Maharaj, MLA Shri Bhaiyalal Rajwade, Collector Shri Chandan Tripathi, Superintendent of Police Shri Ravikumar Kurre along with public representatives and officials were present.
