Daijiworld Media Network – Raipur
Raipur, Jul 5: The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, began a two-day reflection and training retreat at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur on Saturday, with the programme focusing on strengthening governance, technology-driven administration and the national vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).
To ensure uninterrupted discussions and complete participation, all Cabinet ministers are staying on the IIM Raipur campus throughout the retreat, officials said.
The first day featured sessions by national experts on artificial intelligence, rural macroeconomics, modern leadership and public ethics. The initiative comes at a crucial time for the state, as the government shifts its focus from conflict management to accelerated development following improvements in the security situation in the erstwhile conflict-affected Bastar region.
Officials said the Sai government is reorienting its governance framework to prioritise infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism and large-scale investments in remote tribal areas. The training programme is aimed at equipping ministers with modern administrative tools to improve governance and speed up the delivery of welfare schemes, particularly in hard-to-reach regions.
A key highlight of the opening day was a session by NITI Aayog member Abhay Karandikar, who spoke on the growing role of artificial intelligence, data-driven policymaking and digital governance. He emphasised that future governance would increasingly be judged by transparency, efficiency and the effective use of technology to extend welfare benefits to the state's most isolated communities.
NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand conducted a session on strengthening the rural economy, focusing on modernising agriculture and improving rural development strategies.
The retreat commenced with a mindfulness and leadership session by spiritual mentor Gaur Gopal Das, who stressed that effective governance depends not only on sound policymaking but also on empathy and compassionate leadership.