Bhopal Bureau
Summary: The three-day Rajyotsav celebrations marking Madhya Pradesh’s 71st Foundation Day began in Bhopal with grandeur. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav lit the ceremonial Mangaldeep to inaugurate the festival and said the state is moving ahead of all other states in industry, employment, agriculture, milk production, tourism and heritage conservation. The Chief Minister said investments worth Rs 12 lakh crore have reached the ground in the state, Rs 490 crore in subsidies has been given to MSMEs, and agricultural growth exceeds 24 percent.
The grand inauguration of Rajyotsav took place in Bhopal on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh’s 71st Foundation Day. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav lit the Mangaldeep to begin the three-day celebrations. Swasti Vachan was recited on the occasion, and the Chief Minister greeted all residents of the state on Foundation Day. Artists participating in the celebrations were also welcomed. The main ceremony at Bhopal’s Lal Parade Ground was filled with the colours of development, culture and patriotism.
On reaching the venue, the Chief Minister first visited the exhibitions based on the state’s achievements. He inaugurated and inspected the modern agriculture exhibition, the development gallery, the women entrepreneurship pavilion and the Swad-Deshaj food fair. The Chief Minister said the cultural consciousness of Madhya Pradesh is vast and the state bows to this heritage. The Foundation Day programmes had begun at Bhopal’s Shaurya Smarak, after which the main event was held at Lal Parade Ground.
State leads in industry and employment
In his address, the Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh is ahead of all states in industry, employment, agriculture, milk production, tourism and heritage conservation, and these achievements will expand further in the coming years. He said 2025 was observed as Udyog Varsh, through which employment was provided to youth in large numbers. The year 2026 is being observed as Kisan Kalyan Varsh, with special focus on the development of the agriculture sector.
Presenting the state’s economic report card, the Chief Minister said investments worth Rs 12 lakh crore have so far reached the ground in Madhya Pradesh and this process is continuing. Subsidies worth Rs 490 crore have been given to the micro, small and medium enterprises sector to promote MSMEs. He said employment opportunities for youth grew during Udyog Varsh, and now Kisan Kalyan Varsh is strengthening agriculture and the rural economy.
Agricultural growth above 24 percent
The Chief Minister said the state’s agricultural growth rate is above 24 percent, a remarkable achievement at the national level. In the interest of farmers, the government has decided that farmers whose land is acquired for various projects will receive four times its value as compensation. He said the irrigation sector is expanding continuously and the growing irrigated area is improving farmers’ incomes.
Modern technology in agriculture, improved seeds, irrigation facilities and expanded access to markets are directly benefiting farmers. The Chief Minister said farmers are the backbone of the state’s economy and it is their hard work that is taking the state forward in agriculture. Under Kisan Kalyan Varsh, agro-based industries, food processing and rural entrepreneurship are also being promoted so that employment opportunities are created in villages themselves.
Target of first place in milk production
The Chief Minister said the target is to take Madhya Pradesh from third place to first place in the country in milk production. Animal husbandry, fodder management, milk collection and marketing systems are being strengthened to raise milk production. He said milk-producing farmers and animal keepers are getting direct benefits of government schemes.
Growth in milk production raises the income of rural families, especially giving women and small animal keepers a regular source of income. Through milk cooperative societies and milk unions, the milk collection network is being strengthened village by village. As milk production rises in the state, the dairy industry will also gain pace and new jobs will be created in processing units.
Exhibitions and pavilions inspected
On the occasion of the Rajyotsav inauguration, the Chief Minister visited the modern agriculture exhibition, which presents information on new farming techniques, advanced machinery and crop diversification. The development gallery showcases the state’s development journey, major projects and public welfare schemes. The women entrepreneurship pavilion displays products of women self-help groups and women entrepreneurs.
The Swad-Deshaj food fair presents the traditional dishes and local flavours of the state. Through these exhibitions, ordinary citizens can see the state’s progress, culture and traditions at one place. The Chief Minister also interacted with organisers and participants at these pavilions and appreciated their efforts.
Cultural performances enthral audience
Cultural performances on the Rajyotsav stage won the hearts of the audience. Playback singer Monali Thakur’s performance left listeners spellbound. A grand fireworks display was also held on the occasion of the inauguration, filling the sky with colours. The Chief Minister welcomed the artists participating in the celebrations and appreciated their performances.
The three-day celebrations will continue till 3 November and include folk and tribal dance performances from Madhya Pradesh and other states. Through cultural gaurav yatras and folk arts, the state’s rich cultural heritage is being taken to the common people. The Rajyotsav stage has become a festival of the state’s art, music, dance and traditions.
Army Day event in Bhopal on 15 January
The Chief Minister announced that Bhopal will witness attractive Army Day activities on 15 January, in the very first month of Yuva Varsh. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will come to Bhopal for this prestigious programme. The Army Day programmes will begin at Bhopal’s Shaurya Smarak.
The Army Day event will be an occasion of pride for the state, honouring the valour and bravery of the armed forces. Earlier, a Sankalp Vriksh was planted at Shaurya Smarak with soil from all 55 districts, symbolising the state’s unity and respect for martyrs. Preparations for Army Day are being made in coordination between the administration and the armed forces.
Three-day festival and the road ahead
Madhya Pradesh’s 71st Foundation Day celebrations will run for three days, from 1 to 3 November. During the festival, development exhibitions, cultural programmes, folk dances and information about public welfare schemes are being taken to the people. The objective of Rajyotsav is to present the state’s achievements before the public and share the outline of development plans for the coming years.
The road ahead includes accelerating the investment process, strengthening agriculture and the rural economy under Kisan Kalyan Varsh, and taking the state to first place in milk production. The Chief Minister said the state’s progress in industry, employment, agriculture, tourism and heritage conservation will continue. The state government’s resolve is to take development and public welfare works to every village.
Disclaimer: This news has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If any fact is found incorrect, a correction will be published.
