Rani Durgavati was Embodiment of Indomitable Courage and Unparalleled Valour: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that Veerangana Rani Durgavati was the embodiment of indomitable courage, extraordinary bravery and valour. The spirit and strength of Nari Shakti were reflected in her personality. Today marks the 463rd martyrdom day of the legendary queen who humbled the Mughals on the battlefield. Rani Durgavati ruled over 52 forts of the Gondwana Kingdom. Following the untimely demise of her husband, she placed her five-year-old son on the throne and dedicated the next 15 years of her life to public service and the protection of her kingdom.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that although Rani Durgavati was born nearly 500 years ago on the soil of Madhya Pradesh, she continues to be remembered with deep respect across the country. He recalled that after the formation of the present State Government, the first Cabinet meeting was held in Jabalpur and dedicated to Rani Durgavati. The second Cabinet meeting was organised in Sangrampur, the capital of her Gondwana Kingdom.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that a proposal would be sent to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to name Jabalpur Airport after Veerangana Rani Durgavati. He made the announcement while addressing a programme at her memorial site in Narrai Nala, Jabalpur, on her martyrdom day. The Chief Minister informed that a new institution dedicated to Rani Durgavati is being developed near Madan Mahal in Jabalpur at a cost of ₹100 crore and will be inaugurated soon. The institution will help future generations learn about her glorious legacy and contributions. He also said that a zoo and wildlife rescue centre are being developed in Jabalpur in her name. In addition, the 35th Battalion in Mandla has been named after Rani Durgavati.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the “Virasat Se Vikas” campaign to present the courage and rich heritage of India’s heroes in their true perspective.

Rani Durgavati’s Reign Was the Golden Era of the Gond Kingdom

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the reign of Rani Durgavati represented the golden age of the Gond Kingdom. She undertook several pioneering initiatives for farmers, including seed preservation, crop rotation and water conservation. Owing to her efficient administration, grain reserves remained well-stocked and agricultural prosperity flourished.

Government Taking Concrete Decisions for Farmers’ Welfare

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the State Government is firmly committed to the welfare of farmers and has dedicated the entire year to their well-being through a series of significant decisions. The March 31 deadline for repayment of agricultural loans has been abolished. Farmers will now be able to repay their loans within one year from the disbursement date. The State Government will pay ₹880 crore to financial institutions to support this initiative. He stated that the government is continuously working to promote tourism, industrial development and infrastructure expansion. Farmers whose land is acquired for government projects will now receive four times the compensation. The Rani Durgavati Shree Anna Promotion Scheme is benefiting farmers cultivating millets such as Kodo and Kutki.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the monthly assistance of ₹1,500 being provided to Ladli Behna beneficiaries has enhanced their self-reliance. Farmers are also receiving benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Inspired by the welfare measures undertaken by Rani Durgavati for farmers, the State Government is continuously working in the interest of the farming community. He emphasised that the government faces no shortage of funds for farmer welfare and public welfare schemes.

Government Committed to Tribal Welfare

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been continuously working for the welfare of tribal communities. For the first time in the country’s history, a tribal leader, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is adorning the highest constitutional office. He said that the State Government is working with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas and remains committed to fulfilling every promise it makes.

Public Health Engineering Minister Smt. Sampatiya Uikey began her address with a powerful poem dedicated to Veerangana Rani Durgavati, reciting the lines: “Ade khadi deewar bane, sadaiv se prem ki deewani, Toofanon se haar na maani, markar hui amar rani, markar hui amar rani”. Paying her respects at the feet of Veerangana Maharani Rani Durgavati, Smt. Uikey said that both the Central and State Governments are continuously working for the dignity, upliftment and welfare of tribal communities, as well as for the preservation of their languages, culture and traditions. She said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the State Government is making sustained efforts in the fields of water and forest conservation, development of tribal regions, education and healthcare. She urged members of the tribal community to preserve their language, dialects, culture and traditions, and emphasised that it is the collective responsibility of all citizens to take the ideals of Rani Durgavati to every household.

Public Works Minister Shri Rakesh Singh said that the very mention of Veerangana Rani Durgavati evokes a deep sense of reverence across Mahakoshal and every corner of Madhya Pradesh. He stated that Rani Durgavati was not only a brave warrior but also an extraordinary symbol of water management, agricultural development, self-respect and devotion to the motherland. The network of ponds she created, along with her systems of water conservation and resource management, continues to astonish even modern water management experts. Minister Shri Singh said that it is a matter of great pride for Jabalpur that this is the very land where Veerangana Rani Durgavati made the supreme sacrifice. He requested Chief Minister Dr. Yadav to name Jabalpur Airport after Veerangana Maharani Rani Durgavati, stating that such a decision would not merely be a renaming exercise but would confer national recognition upon the region’s historical identity, glory and pride.

Senior MLA and State BJP President Shri Hemant Khandelwal said that the sacrifice of Rani Durgavati remains an eternal symbol of the protection of freedom, culture, identity and self-respect. He noted that through her life, she conveyed the message that death with honour is far superior to a life lived in humiliation. MLA Shri Khandelwal said that the contribution of tribal communities to India’s history is invaluable, and Rani Durgavati is among the brightest inspirations of that glorious legacy. He emphasised that the younger generation should learn from her life that India’s freedom and self-respect were not achieved effortlessly; they were secured through the supreme sacrifices of countless brave men and women. MLA Shri Khandelwal stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the nation is respectfully remembering those great personalities who struggled to safeguard India’s identity, heritage and culture.

Floral Tributes Paid at the Memorial

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav paid floral tributes and offered his respects at the memorial of Veerangana Maharani Rani Durgavati in Narrai Nala village. He also paid homage by offering flowers at the statue of martyr Veer Narayan. The Chief Minister performed worship and rituals dedicated to Bada Dev, the revered deity of the Gond community. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also visited the exhibition organised at the programme venue.

MP Shri Ashish Dubey, Mayor Shri Jagat Bahadur Singh, MLAs Shri Ashok Rohani, Shri Sushil Tiwari ‘Indu’ and Shri Neeraj Singh, along with senior officials, devotees and a large number of citizens, were present.