Today is the 62^nd Foundation Day of Madhya Pradesh, the Heart of India. My greetings and best wishes to you all on this occasion. Madhya Pradesh has become a leading state of the country owing to your hard efforts. Not only in India but changes have been witnessed in the outlook of the foreign countries today regarding Madhya Pradesh. People are now more inquisitive to learn about Madhya Pradesh as compared to earlier and wish to connect themselves with the state. The meaning of M.P. has become “Mera Pradesh” now for the people more than the “Madhya Pradesh”. This kind of people’s perspective is a matter of pride for all of us.

Madhya Pradesh was formed after merging Central India, Central Provinces and Barar, Vindhya Pradesh and Bhopal state in the year 1956. The amalgamation of different cultures was made on the basis of linguistic oneness. Madhya Pradesh has presented an example of cultural unity in the entire world besides linguistic oneness today. In context to India, it is said that it has the specialty of “Unity in Diversity”. This is very true that multi-coloured diversity of India makes our country strong. Diversity tied in one knot is seen in the strongest form in Madhya Pradesh.

The social and cultural identity of this part of the land was strong when India got freedom. This land was only lagging behind in basic amenities and facilities. It came to my notice, during the deliberations that the electricity was only available in Jabalpur city at the time of freedom and it reached Sagar after a short time. Gradually, the electricity later reached only the urban areas and the people of the rural areas were leading life in darkness till long period. When I see Madhya Pradesh today, it gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction that Madhya Pradesh has succeeded to establish its altogether different image today in all the areas of the development.

Today Madhya Pradesh has very good availability of electricity. We have become electricity surplus state of the country. Most of the regions of the state are being illuminated with electricity. Farmers are being provided with 10 hours electricity and 24 hours electricity is available in the residential areas of the state. So many changes were seen in the conditions with time. Keeping in view the education, the state had only one university and seven colleges at the time of freedom. Day by day increase in number of educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh has transformed the entire educational scenario.

In the last one decade, Madhya Pradesh has got a new identity in the country and the world, thanks to unprecedented works for infrastructure development, capabilities, possibilities, clear intention and policies of Madhya Pradesh. We have tried to materialise the dream of Antodaya in the state, as per the Pt Deendayal Upadhyay's philosophy of 'Integral Humanism'. We are paying attention for welfare of people of all religions, following the mantra of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinh, Sarve Santu Niramaya' (may all be happy, may all be healthy).

 Several programs have been launched in Madhya Pradesh for providing more employment opportunities to youths. 'Skill Development Mission' has also been started in the state. There is no obstacle in getting higher education due to the lack of money for students, 'Chief Minister Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana' has been started.

 In order to give guarantee of minimum support price to farmers on their agriculture produce, Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana has been introduced in the state. Our achievements in good governance has been appreciated widely. Women empowerment, respect and security has been given special emphasis.

All of us can get progress rapidly, when we have more and more dialogue and we altogether prepare new development programmes jointly at a faster pace.

 From today, I am starting two-month-long 'Madhya Pradesh Vikas Yatra'. During the Yatra, I will prepare more new programmes to develop Madhya Pradesh further while meeting with people of all religions.

 We will not stop here. We have to get new heights. Madhya Pradesh has to be on the top. It requires cooperation of all. Let's go ahead together. Congratulation and Best Wishes to all on the Foundation Day.

Yours,
Shivraj Singh Chouhan