Chief Minister Reviews Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Welfare Initiatives at ‘Bharatiy Kushth Nivaran Sangh Ashram’; Flags Off New Ambulance
Offers Prayers at Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple for the Prosperity and Well-being of the People of Chhattisgarh
Raipur, July 2, 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai visited the Indian Leprosy Relief Association (Bharatiya Kushtha Nivarak Sangh) Ashram at Sothi in Janjgir-Champa district during his one-day tour on Thursday. He was accorded a warm welcome by the office-bearers of the institution and the residents of the ashram. Chief Minister Shri Sai held detailed discussions with Ashram head Shri Sudhir Dev on the institution’s service activities, healthcare facilities and rehabilitation programmes, and lauded its longstanding commitment to humanitarian service.
Describing the Indian Leprosy Relief Association Ashram as far more than a service institution, Shri Sai said it stands as a living centre of humanity, compassion and selfless dedication. He noted that the Ashram has, for decades, served neglected and underprivileged sections of society with dignity, embodying the Indian ethos of ‘Nar Seva Hi Narayan Seva’ (service to humanity is service to God). He said such institutions play an inspiring role in strengthening compassion, service and human values in society.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai also offered prayers and performed puja and aarti at Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple located within the Ashram premises, praying for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people of Chhattisgarh. He paid floral tributes to the founder of the institution, Late Sadashiv Govind Katre, by lighting a ceremonial lamp before his portrait and saluted his enduring legacy of selfless service.
On the occasion, Shri Sai flagged off a new ambulance for the Ashram. He said the vehicle would significantly strengthen timely access to quality healthcare for Ashram residents as well as other needy patients.
During the visit, Chief Minister toured the Ashram premises and reviewed various service, healthcare and rehabilitation initiatives. He interacted warmly with the residents, enquired about their well-being and presented them with gifts. He also offered prayers at the Ashram’s cowshed, fed green fodder to the cows and conveyed the message of gau seva (cow protection and care).
Shri Sai further inspected the Sant Guru Ghasidas Hospital situated within the Ashram campus. He reviewed healthcare facilities across various units, including the Outpatient Department (OPD), Pathology Laboratory, Billing Section, X-ray Unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Operation Theatre. He also assessed the arrangements available for patients undergoing treatment and stressed the need to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services.
Chief Minister Shri Sai also inspected the Free Cancer Screening Initiative vehicle operated by the Dhanvantari Jan Kalyan Samiti Society, Raipur. Appreciating the outreach of cancer screening services to rural and remote areas through the mobile unit, he observed that timely diagnosis and treatment remain the most effective means of preventing serious illnesses, adding that such initiatives are of immense importance from a public health perspective.
Cabinet Minister Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb, Member of Parliament Smt. Kamlesh Devi Jangde, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Singh Deo, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Shri Saurabh Singh, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Development and Marketing Cooperative Federation Shri Bhojraj Devangan, office-bearers of the Ashram and a large number of local residents were present on the occasion.
