17-Member Student Delegation from Japan’s Ehime University Pays Courtesy Visit to Chief Minister
CM Sai Interacts with Japanese Students, Introduces Them to Chhattisgarh’s Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage
State Government Making Continuous Efforts to Give Global Recognition to Sirpur and Other Heritage Sites
Japanese Students Impressed by Startups and Technological Innovations at NIT Raipur
Raipur, September 2026: A 17-member student delegation from Japan’s Ehime University paid a courtesy visit to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the Chief Minister’s residence office in Raipur. The students are visiting Chhattisgarh on a three-day educational tour under the India-Japan Inter-Exchange Programme.
During the interaction, Chief Minister Sai engaged warmly with the students and discussed a range of issues, including the historical and cultural ties between India and Japan, Buddhist heritage, education, research, technological innovation, startups and the growing interaction between the youth of the two countries.
Welcoming the Japanese students to Chhattisgarh, Sai said the friendship between India and Japan has deep roots in the ancient cultural and spiritual heritage shared by the two countries. Over time, he said, these ties have expanded beyond culture and spirituality to include education, science, technology, innovation and economic cooperation.
The Chief Minister said India and Japan are playing an important role in global development by maintaining a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity. He added that mutual trust and respect form a strong foundation for bilateral relations.
Sai emphasised that educational and cultural exchanges among young people and students would further strengthen India-Japan relations in the coming generations.
Highlighting India's Buddhist heritage, the Chief Minister said India is the land of Lord Buddha, whose messages of peace, compassion, friendship and human welfare have influenced several countries. He noted that Buddhist philosophy has also left a deep imprint on Japanese culture, creating a unique spiritual and cultural bond between the two nations.
Sai introduced the students to Chhattisgarh’s rich archaeological heritage and highlighted important sites such as Sirpur, Mainpat and Bhongapal. He described Sirpur, located on the banks of the Mahanadi, as an important centre of the state’s ancient civilisation, art, architecture and Buddhist heritage.
The Chief Minister said archaeological remains found at Sirpur reflect the state’s glorious history and the confluence of different cultures. He added that the state government is continuously working to give Chhattisgarh’s historical, archaeological and cultural heritage greater recognition in India and abroad.
He said planned efforts are being undertaken to develop Sirpur as a world-class historical and tourism destination. The government also wants students, researchers and tourists from different countries to visit Chhattisgarh, explore its heritage and establish lasting links of knowledge and culture with the state.
CM Shares Experiences of Japan Visit
Sai also shared his experiences from his visit to Japan with the students. He appreciated the country’s disciplined work culture, technological advancement and respect for its traditions.
He said Japan’s ability to preserve its cultural identity while achieving remarkable progress in modern science and technology was inspiring. India, he added, is also rapidly moving towards a knowledge-based economy while carrying forward its thousands of years of civilisation and cultural values.
The Chief Minister said growing interaction between Indian and Japanese youth would be extremely important for the future of bilateral relations.
Scope for New Cooperation in Education and Technology
Sai said knowledge, research, innovation and technology have emerged as key drivers of development in a rapidly changing world. Increasing cooperation between educational institutions in India and Japan can provide students with opportunities to engage with new technologies, research and innovation.
He expressed confidence that interaction between students of Ehime University and higher education and technical institutions in Chhattisgarh could lead to new opportunities for joint research, technological cooperation, startups and innovation.
Japanese Students Impressed by Chhattisgarh’s Culture
Members of the Japanese delegation shared their experiences of their visit to Chhattisgarh and said they had received a warm welcome in Raipur. They were particularly impressed by the state’s culture, traditions and the friendly and hospitable nature of its people.
The students also appreciated Indian cuisine and said they had the opportunity to understand the traditions and cultural significance of Ganesh Utsav. The Japanese students enthusiastically shared that they had applied mehendi and purchased Indian traditional clothing.
They said the visit had enabled them to understand India beyond books and classrooms by experiencing its society, culture and lifestyle firsthand.
Interest in NIT Raipur Startups and Innovation
During their visit, the Japanese delegation also toured various research centres and the incubation centre at NIT Raipur. The students learned about startup activities, research projects and emerging technologies being developed there.
They showed particular interest in startups using technology to develop practical solutions to everyday problems faced by people. The delegation appreciated these innovations and expressed interest in possibilities for technology transfer, research and innovation-based cooperation.
As part of their three-day educational tour, the students will also visit the historic and archaeological site of Sirpur to learn about Chhattisgarh’s ancient Buddhist heritage, architecture, art and cultural history.
Sai wished all members of the delegation a pleasant stay and said such visits help the younger generation of both countries understand each other’s cultures, achievements and opportunities. He expressed confidence that the growing dialogue between Indian and Japanese youth would open new chapters of friendship, knowledge, innovation and shared progress.
Chief Minister’s Secretary P. Dayanand, NIT Raipur professors Dilip Singh Sisodia and Sameer Bajpai, IIT Hyderabad Professor C.K. Mohan, Industry Department Additional Director Sanjay Gajghate, Deputy Director Amay Tripathi, CHiPS Joint CEO Anupam Ashish Toppo and other officials were present on the occasion.
