Raipur, Aug 14: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has stressed that learning from the pain and historical lessons of Partition is a collective responsibility to preserve India’s unity, integrity, and social harmony under all circumstances.

Addressing a state-level event on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (Vibhajan Vibhisika Smriti Diwas) at the Open-Air Auditorium of the Directorate of Archaeology in Raipur, the Chief Minister paid homage to those who lost their lives in the 1947 tragedy and commended the extraordinary courage, patience, and resilience of displaced families.

Sai stated that history is not merely a record of past events, but a guide to direct the present and safeguard the future. He stressed that the lessons of Partition must be remembered from generation to generation to ensure such human tragedies are never repeated.

Reflecting on the events of 1947, the Chief Minister said Partition was not merely a division of land and boundaries, but a devastating loss that forced lakhs of people to leave their ancestral homes, property, and loved ones. Families from Bengali, Sikh, Sindhi, and several other communities endured unbearable displacement.

He noted that while most of those who witnessed the horrors firsthand are no longer alive, the trauma remains deeply embedded in the collective memory of their descendants. Despite starting from scratch in new locations, these displaced communities rebuilt their lives through relentless hard work and contributed immensely to national development.

Sai highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated 14 August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to accord due honour to the sacrifices of victims and educate the younger generation about this chapter of history. This day serves as an opportunity to reinforce the nation’s resolve toward unity and integrity.

The Chief Minister asserted that India is moving forward under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to build a developed nation by 2047. He emphasised that a ‘Viksit Bharat’ can only be built on the foundation of a united and empowered society, adding that Chhattisgarh is actively pursuing its ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ goals with sensitive support for Partition-affected families.

Welcoming chief speaker Padma Shri Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Sai lauded his contributions to Indian history, culture, and literature. He noted that Dr Dwivedi sensitively portrayed the human pain of Partition through his film Pinjar, based on the famous novel by Amrita Pritam. Representatives from affected communities also shared their personal family accounts at the event.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi asserted that a united society guarantees a united nation. He called upon citizens to pledge on 14 August to protect India’s integrity at all costs, noting that the historic struggles of millions of displaced persons deserve their rightful place in national memory.

Dr Dwivedi referred to the complex historical circumstances of border demarcation assigned to Cyril Radcliffe in July 1947, who had limited familiarity with India’s geographical and social structure. He urged citizens to remain vigilant against divisive forces, stating that social harmony is a shared civic responsibility.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led a silent protest march from the Directorate of Archaeology to Ambedkar Chowk to honour Partition victims and express solidarity with affected families.

The event was attended by MP Brijmohan Agarwal, MP Lakshmi Verma, MLA Purandar Mishra, MLA Motilal Sahu, Raipur District Panchayat President Naveen Agarwal, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava, State Minorities Commission Chairman Amarjeet Chhabra, Sant Yudhishthir Lal Ji, Swami Shivswaroopanand Ji, State Waqf Board Chairman Dr Saleem Raj, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Pankaj Kumar Jha, Yashwant Jain, Dr Naveen Markandey, alongside community leaders and school students.

Here is the publication-ready news agency copy edited in strict accordance with your comprehensive guidelines, followed by detailed feedback for the reporting desk.

Here is the edited, publication-ready news copy drafted strictly in accordance with Indian News Agency and Wire Service standards, followed by constructive feedback and key revisions.