RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said Gandhiji respected ‘Karm’ and ‘Shram’. He showed the path of becoming self-reliant by creating self-employment with hard work and dedication.

Baghel was addressing the program on ‘Gandhi, Youth and Challenges of New India’ organized by the Culture and Archaeology Department at Shaheed Smarak Bhavan, here. He paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The Chief Minister said Gandhiji showed the path of self-reliance, love, truth, non-violence and led the entire nation to attain freedom. He worked in the fields among the farmers, and the weavers by spinning the charkha. He taught millions to honour work and labour laying emphasis on social and economic freedom.

Baghel said youth is the strength. The young energy needs to be channelized. There is a need to make collective and organized efforts to provide them opportunities. Confidence comes from hard work, which can win even the toughest of the battles

Gandhiji sacrificed his clothing to become the embodiment of minimalism. This inspired people to minimize their needs and live a simple life.

The Chief Minister announced ‘Anupam Mishra Award’ for the individuals and organisations working in the field of water recharging. He announced that an award will be instituted in the memory of renowned litterateur Habeeb Tanveer as well. He released the book titled ‘Sonakhan 1857’ by Ashish Singh and a book named ‘Johar Gandhi’ by Amir Hashmi.

Baghel threw light on the different initiatives taken by the state government towards promoting self-reliance and self-employment.