Raipur, Oct 31 Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will be the chief guest at the inaugural function of ‘Rajyotsava 2026’, the Chhattisgarh State Foundation Day celebrations, on November 1, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony on November 3, officials said on Saturday.
The three-day celebrations will be held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Industry and Trade Complex (Mela Ground) in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar to mark the state’s 26th foundation day.
This year’s theme is ‘Sashakt Nari, Yuva Udaan’ (Empowered Women, Youth Soaring High), reflecting the state’s focus on women’s empowerment and youth development, an official release said.
Governor Ramen Deka will preside over the programmes on November 2. Celebrations will also be organised at all district headquarters on the same day.
The festival will showcase Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, folk traditions, handicrafts and development initiatives through exhibitions, cultural performances and a dedicated Shilpgram (craft village).
A major attraction will be an aerial display by the Indian Air Force’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team at Sendh Lake in Nava Raipur on November 2 at 11 am.
The team, led by Group Captain Abhijit Kumar, will fly five indigenous Dhruv helicopters and perform synchronised formations and aerial manoeuvres. The team also includes women pilots Squadron Leaders Ankita and Akshayaa.
Cultural programmes will be organised every evening, beginning with performances by local artists at 4 pm, followed by state-level artists at 7 pm and national-level performers at 8 pm.
Playback singer Palak Muchhal will perform on November 1 followed by Swasti Mehul on November 2 and Abhijeet Bhattacharya on November 3.
Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000.
(PTI News)
