RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday said it was Dr Khoobchand Baghel who dreamt of a separate state of Chhattisgarh. His contribution can never be forgotten.

He was addressing the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Khoobchand Baghel at Phool Chowk of capital city Raipur, near Dr. Khoobchand Baghel’s commercial complex, Naveen Market.

Earlier, Baghel offered floral tributes to the statue.

Dr. Khoobchand’s personality was multidimensional, was a skilled organiser, doctor, well-wisher of farmers, leader of cooperative movement, writer and an artist. He participated in the freedom movement along with his mother and wife.

Baghel said while Dr Khoobchand thought of Chhattisgarh as a separate state since the new nation was in making after independence. Many other great men also contributed to the formation of the state.

He spoke details on loan waiver of farmers, procurement of forest minor produce, fighting migration and naxalism, promotion and preservation of culture of state and giving the state its own state song.

The state has also worked in education by opening Swami Atamanad schools both in English and Hindi and now the English Medium Colleges.

He added that to instil the self-respect of being a Chhattisgarhi, the statue of Chhattisgarh Mahtari is being installed in all the districts.