Guiness World Records 2008 of Indian Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan MP of Madhya Pradesh, India
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that through public participation Madhya Pradesh has taken a big leap towards achieving the targets of United Nations Millennium Campaign for eradicating poverty and inequality. Madhya Pradesh government with people's cooperation has succeeded in spreading awareness about education, women's empowerment, poverty eradication, children's welfare, environment protection, prevention of deadly diseases and health security of pregnant women. Credit for this must go the people of the state. Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing a function at the Academy of Administration, which was held to felicitate him.
On the occasion, United Nations Millennium Campaign director Salil Shetty honoured Chief Minister Chouhan by presenting to him a certificate issued by Guinness Book of World Record recognising Madhya Pradesh as the first state in the world to have maximum public participation in social sector for consecutive second year. Chief Minister Chouhan was felicitated for Madhya Pradesh securing first position in Guinness Book of World Records for its active participation in achieving the targets of United Nations Millennium Campaign for eradicating poverty and inequality. Gratitude was expressed towards the state government on this occasion. Kailash Vijayvargiya and Ms Asha Vijayvargiya were also felicitated on the occasion for their helping role in the achievement of United Nations Millennium Campaign targets and inspiring social organisations.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that United Nations has set a deadline of 15 years for achieving the targets of United Nations Millennium Campaign. Madhya Pradesh government has swung into action and implemented various programmes for the welfare of children, women and the poor section of society. The programmes which have proved to be important in the development of the poor, children and women in the state include Jalabhishek Abhiyan, Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana, Gaon Ki Beti Yojana, Haryali Mahotsava, start of Anganwadi centres, free supply of uniforms and text-books and supply of free cycles to village girl students who go to another village for carrying out their studies.
Guinness World Record 2008 participation in United Nation's Stand Up and Speak Out programmes also shows people's fervour and enthusiasm. Chouhan informed that through Mukhyamantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana school going children of labourers have started getting scholarships, labourers have been provided medical facilities and women labourers are being given paid holidays. The aim of all these schemes is to fill the lives of every section of society with prosperity.
United Nations Millennium Campaign director Salil Shetti commended the works undertaken in Madhya Pradesh. He described Chief Minister Chouhan's keen interest in this connection as a sources of inspiration for other states. A large number of people turned up at Stand Up and Speak Our programmes and took the pledge of participation in the achievement of United Nations Millennium Campaign targets in 2006 and 2007.
In the first year 33 lakh took part while in the second year the number of participants went up to 74 lakh which is a record of its own kind. This record has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. Shetty open-heartedly praised the honest efforts of Madhya Pradesh government and hoped that the enthusiasm of Madhya Pradesh government and people of the state would continue in the same vein in future also. Shetty informed that United Nation's secretary general has also praised the initiative taken by Chief Minister Chouhan and cooperation extended by the people of Madhya Pradesh.
Shetty said that Speak Out campaign would be launched from October 15 to 17, 2008 throughout the state for creating awareness about the target of United Nations Millennium Campaign and express solidarity with them. He said that Madhya Pradesh government has launched appreciable programmes for achieving these targets. He said that better awareness can be ensured by getting these programmes monitored by credible agencies.
Public Works Department Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya termed as important the initiatives taken by Chief Minister Chouhan for health, education and poverty eradication and hoped that the non-government organisations would also continue to cooperative in these efforts.
The function was conducted by Kamlesh Pare. Earlier, the guests were welcomed with garlands. Those also present on the occasion included Kailash Vijayvargiya's wife Ms Asha Vijayvargiya, Academy of Administration director general Ms Mala Shrivastava, Sharad Joshi, officers and large number of voluntary organisation's representatives.
