PM Narendra Modi celebrates Bhai Dooj in Chhattisgarh's Naya Raipur

Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated Bhai Dooj in Chhattisgarh and assured the women that he will continue to work for the welfare of Mother India.

Modi launched 16th foundation day celebrations of the state at Naya Raipur, the upcoming new capital of the state.

During the programme, a few women, hailing from different parts of the state, wished the Prime Minister on Bhai Dooj on the stage, applying a tilak on his forehead.

"I am lucky that I got blessings of sisters today. When mother and sisters shower their blessings, you get more strength to work with dedication," Modi said in his speech.

"On Bhai Dooj, lakhs of women, particularly tribals, have given me their blessings by arriving from different parts of the state in the programme. I bow my head in respect to them," he said.

"This brother of yours will continue to work for the welfare of Maa Bharti and betterment of 1.25 crore people of the country," he said, adding "I wish everybody on this auspicious occasion of Diwali."

Modi launched `Saur Sujala Yojana' under which solar pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity, worth Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh, respectively, would be provided to 51,000 farmers in the state by March 31, 2019.

The farmers will get the pumps at subsidised prices. The scheme will be implemented on priority basis in the areas where electricity connections have not reached yet.

Modi also dedicated the state's first `jungle safari' and Bus Rapid Transit System at Naya Raipur. He also unveiled a statue of Deendayal Upadhyay and dedicated the two-kilometre long `Ekatm Path' linking Naya Raipur railway station and the capital complex.

The Prime Minister also felicitated representatives of Mungeli and Dhamtari districts and 15 divisional blocks for achieving open defecation-free area status.