Bhopal, May 9: The Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to give award worth Rs 51 thousand for the person making distinguished contribution to Malwa's art, literature and culture.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while inaugurating five-day Malwa Utsav by Lok Sanskriti Manch at Indore last night. As many as 450 craftsmen from all over India are displaying pieces of their arts and crafts at this fair. Besides, folk artistes from 12 states would come out with their enchanting performances.

Those present at the inaugural function included Public Works Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Indore Mayor Dr Umashish Sharma, Chairman of Khadi Evam Gramodyog Board Shri Satyanarayan Sattan, Chairman of Indore Development Authority Shri Madhu Verma and people's representatives.

While addressing the function, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Malwa has carved out a its distinctive niche in every sector. It has given towering personalities in every field. The Malwa Utasav is being organised to honour artistes. Every possible assistance would be given for promotion of arts and culture.

Earlier, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan participated in the Shobha Yatra taken out to mark Parshuram Jayanti at Rajvada. He garlanded the statue of Bhagwan Parshuram and performed Pooja.

New path of public participation

At another function held last night at Indore, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched renovation of Indore's famous auditorium Ravindra Natya Grah and work to turn 56 shops into international-level food plaza. These works are being undertaken through public participation under 'Ao Sare, Indore Savaren' campaign. Addressing the function, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Indore has shown a new path of public participation. He called upon Indoreans to go on with enthusiasm. They government would give them full cooperation. The Chief Minister announced to give Rs one crore for these development works.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also inspected development works being undertaken in Indore during which he said that Indore would be made slum-free completely. Slum dwellers would be evacuated only after giving them alternative places. They would be pucca houses equipped with all the facilities. The places inspected by the Chief Minister included houses being constructed under JNNURM at Panchsheel Nagar, new collector office building, Juni Indore railway over bridge, Narayan Dharm Setu at Kesharbag and site of biggest park of the state at Pipalyapala.

Come forward to help poor

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has exhorted well-to-do members of society to come forward for the service towards have-nots and deprived sections. The Chief Minister made this call while inaugurating 19 houses built for leprosy patients at Jambudi Hapsi village near Indore yesterday. Those specially present on the occasion included Public Works Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, MLA Shri Manoj Patel and Sushri Uma Thakur. The Chief Minister drew the lots for allotment of these houses and distributed food grains among the leprosy patients. He also exhorted every section of society to extend cooperation in the works undertaken by Red Cross.