Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti paid floral tributes and offered prayers at the statue of Veerangana Avanti Bai on Martyrs Day on Monday at Mata Mandir Chouraha. Chief Minister Chouhan said that Rani Avanti Bai was a great and valourous woman. She shed her last ounce of blood for the countrys freedom and sacrificed her life for the sake of the country. It is our responsibility to honour our martyrs. He said that prayers must be offered to the brave otherwise bravery will become unproductive. He said that the state government has done several works to immortalize memoirs of the brave and to express ones respect towards them. In future whatever work is considered necessary will be done. Government is always ready to work for the people. It is the duty of the government to fulfill the expectations of the people.
Union Minister Uma Bharti said that she was making efforts to get Rani Avanti Bais statue established in the countrys capital. She said that Rani Avanti Bai had defeated Britishers in the war. She ruled as an independent ruler for one year. Britishers could succeed against her only due to betrayal.
Chief Minister Chouhan honoured Union Minister Uma Bharti and flagged off the rally from Mata Mandir Chouraha to Dussehra ground. Among those present on the occasion were Minister of State (independent charge) for Cooperatives Vishwas Sarang, MLA Pratap Singh Lodhi, Former Chairman of Mineral Development Corporation Koksingh Narwariya and former MLA Bhaiyya Saheb Lodhi besides peoples representatives and people in a large number.