Bhopal, Nov 1 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading states in industry, employment, agriculture, tourism and heritage conservation, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Sunday, asserting that the state aims to top the country in milk production.
Opening the three-day celebrations marking the state’s 71st Foundation Day here, Yadav said in his address that investments worth Rs 12 lakh crore had materialised and the process was continuing.
The state’s agricultural growth rate stands at over 24 per cent, while farmers whose land was acquired for various projects would receive compensation four times the prevailing amount, he said.
Irrigation facilities are being expanded, and the state is working to increase milk production, with the aim of moving from third to first position nationally, he added.
Yadav said the Industry Year initiative had generated employment for a large number of young people in 2025, while the Farmer Welfare Year in 2026 helped develop the agriculture sector. The government distributed Rs 490 crore in subsidies to micro, small and medium enterprises on Thursday (October 29), he said.
Referring to major development projects supported by the Centre, he listed the PM MITRA textile park in Dhar, expansion of the Bina refinery, the Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal inter-state river-linking projects, and the Mohasa-Babai renewable energy and power equipment manufacturing zone.
He also announced that Bhopal would host Army Day activities on January 15, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attending. The event would strengthen patriotism and national pride, he said, praising the armed forces for safeguarding the country.
The chief minister said Madhya Pradesh’s formation reflected its hardworking culture and values, and was not the result of any one person’s vision or a particular period.
Yadav distributed awards to winners of the Kisan Kalyan Swabhiman Parv quiz and meritorious students under the Bhagwan Shri Krishna Meritorious Scholarship scheme. A total of 102 students received Rs 1 lakh each and certificates, while quiz winners were given tractors, Bullet motorcycles and e-scooters.
The celebrations featured a musical performance by playback singer Monali Thakur and her team from Mumbai. The programme opened with 71 children singing ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem performed by the police band amid fireworks.
An exhibition featuring 160 watercolour paintings on ‘Raja Bhoj’s Bhopal’ and a state-level seminar on advanced agricultural techniques and organic farming were also organised at Lal Parade Ground.
On November 2, the second day of the celebrations, folk and tribal dance performances by artists from Madhya Pradesh and other states will begin at 6.30 pm, followed by an instrumental presentation titled ‘Breathing Fiesta’, said officials.
Development exhibitions, including those on agriculture, heritage, public welfare and local culture, will remain open from noon to 8 pm. A farmers’ market, a women’s entrepreneurship pavilion and a local food festival are also part of the three-day celebrations.
Ministers Chaitanya Kashyap and Krishna Gaur, legislators Rameshwar Sharma, Bhagwandas Sabnani and Vishnu Khatri, Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai, Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and other officials attended the event.
