Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Shastra Poojan symbolises India’s Sanatan culture, valour, strength and dedication to duty. Addressing a ceremony at the Indore Police Lines on Vijayadashami, he said that Indian culture teaches people to live in harmony with nature and that weapons represent not merely strength, but the responsibility to protect citizens, alleviate their hardships and maintain law and order.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav worshipped Maa Kalka and performed rituals for traditional weapons, including swords and spears, as well as modern weapons such as AK-47 rifles, amid Vedic chants. He also worshipped police vehicles and horses, inspected the armoury and performed Kanya Pad Poojan. A women’s police contingent presented the guard of honour. The ceremony reflected the rich traditions of religious devotion, valour and national defence.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said Vijayadashami commemorates the victory of dharma over adharma through Lord Shri Ram’s defeat of Ravana and celebrates women's power through Maa Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Enriched by the traditions of Lord Shri Ram and Lord Shri Krishna, Sanatan culture gives our values and way of life a distinctive identity. The tradition of applying tilak to weapons and worshipping them with reverence underscores the importance of using them responsibly. He said that India’s glorious history was built on the sacrifice, valour and dedication of its heroes. Brave sons of the nation had laid down their lives to protect the honour and dignity of Bharat Mata. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is drawing inspiration from its glorious heritage and moving towards a brighter future.
Government Actively Participates in Festivals and Promotes Cultural Traditions
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the state government was promoting social values and cultural traditions by actively participating in festivals. Shastra Poojan ceremonies were being organised by police forces across Madhya Pradesh as part of this initiative. He emphasised that effective administration requires both discipline and encouragement. While punishment maintains order, appreciation and recognition boost the morale of personnel performing their duties.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav Appreciates Police Innovations in Indore
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav appreciated the innovations introduced in Indore to strengthen law and order. He said the newly launched app would make communication between citizens and the police simpler, faster and more transparent. It would provide information on police personnel’s duty assignments, the relevant police stations and officers, contact facilities, and essential police services on a single platform. Considering its utility, the app’s implementation across Madhya Pradesh would also be explored. He also appreciated the initiative to provide 51 motorcycles for traffic management, road safety and law enforcement. The vehicles were arranged through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, strengthening public safety without imposing an additional financial burden on the government.
Recruitment to Fill Police Department Vacancies to Be Expedited
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the state government was committed to strengthening human resources and systems across all departments, including the police. The state government has decided to recruit personnel for 18,500 police posts and plans to fill vacancies over the next two years. Recruitment is also underway for 85,000 posts across various government departments. He said the coming year would be observed as the Year of Youth. Special examinations by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) will be held. The Chief Minister said that the government was also focusing on training, modern equipment, new investigation methods, forensic facilities and effective implementation of the amended criminal laws to enhance police efficiency.
Police Bands to Be Established Across the State
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15 were occasions of pride and enthusiasm for the government and administration. To enhance the dignity of ceremonial parades on these occasions, initiatives were being undertaken to establish police bands in every district. He also announced plans to recruit 750 personnel for this purpose.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav Pays Tribute to Police Personnel and Women’s Strength
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that police personnel remained on duty around the clock, often away from their families, to ensure citizens’ safety. Their dedication, efficiency and commitment to duty deserved special recognition. The families of police personnel also played an important role in enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities, and the government was sensitive to their welfare. He said, appreciating the participation of women police personnel in the guard of honour, that ability and efficiency were not confined to any one section of society. Women, too, could discharge every responsibility with competence and confidence. Such initiatives brought positive social change and strengthened the principle of equal opportunities.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, extending Vijayadashami greetings, wished that the festival, celebrating the victory of truth over falsehood and dharma over adharma, would bring happiness, prosperity and well-being to everyone. He congratulated the Indore administration and police department on their effective arrangements and innovations.
Police Setu App Launched; 51 Two-Wheelers Flagged Off
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav launched the Police Setu app, enabling citizens to identify the police station and duty officers responsible for their location and contact them directly. He also flagged off 51 vehicles provided to the Indore Police by the Honda India Foundation under the Ideal Traffic Safe City project. In addition, he released a poster prepared by the foundation to raise public awareness about road safety. A short film showcasing the Indore Police’s public awareness initiatives against drug abuse was also screened.
Police Commissioner Shri Santosh Kumar Singh, in his welcome address, said that under the inspiration and guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, the tradition of Shastra Poojan had been opened to public participation and elected representatives since 2024. He described the tradition as a symbol of the nation’s valour, bravery, sacrifice and rich cultural heritage. He said,expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, that 1,721 police personnel had been promoted in the Indore Police Commissionerate, while more than 27,500 police personnel had been promoted across the state.
Shri Singh said the Indore Police had introduced several innovations that were delivering positive results. Under the Chief Minister’s guidance, the department remained committed to providing improved policing and security services through technology, innovation and public welfare initiatives.
Dignitaries Present
Those present included Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat, Member of Parliament Shri Shankar Lalwani, Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargava, MLAs Shri Ramesh Mendola, Shri Golu Shukla, Smt. Malini Gaur, Shri Madhu Verma, Shri Mahendra Hardia, Sushri Usha Thakur, Shri Sumit Mishra, Shri Shravan Chavda, Shri Gaurav Ranadive and Shri Sawan Sonkar, Divisional Commissioner Shri Bhaskar Lakshakar, Police Commissioner Shri Santosh Kumar Singh, IG Shri Anurag, Collector Shri Shivam Verma, Municipal Commissioner Shri Kshitij Singhal, along with several other public representatives and officials. The armed police band performed devotional songs and bhajans, creating a devotional atmosphere at the venue.