The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, 31 May 2026 announced that the 134th episode of Mann Ki Baat — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address — featured two distinct highlights from the state: the athletic achievements of young runner Animesh Kujur from Jashpur, and the rare copper-plate inscriptions discovered at the ancient site of Malhar in Bilaspur district. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai responded by conveying gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of Chhattisgarh's 3 crore residents.

Context

The official post from the Chief Minister's Office stated: 'प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी के लोकप्रिय रेडियो कार्यक्रम मन की बात के 134वें एपिसोड में आज जशपुर के प्रतिभाशाली युवा धावक अनिमेष कुजूर की उपलब्धियों का उल्लेख किया गया' ('In the 134th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the achievements of talented young runner Animesh Kujur from Jashpur were mentioned today'). The post further noted that the Malhar copper plates and the efforts to conserve them were also highlighted, described as giving 'new recognition to our rich cultural heritage.'

Chief Minister Sai is quoted in the post as expressing 'heartfelt gratitude' (हार्दिक आभार) to the Prime Minister for giving Chhattisgarh's talent and heritage a platform on the national stage.

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat was launched by Prime Minister Modi in October 2014 and is broadcast monthly on All India Radio. The programme regularly spotlights citizen achievers, grassroots innovators, and heritage conservation efforts from across the country, functioning as a soft-power amplifier for state-level accomplishments.

The Malhar archaeological site in Bilaspur district is one of Chhattisgarh's most significant historical locations, known for yielding copper-plate inscriptions that shed light on early medieval dynastic history in central India. The state's archaeology department has been engaged in documentation and preservation of these finds for several decades. The Jashpur region, a tribal-majority district in northern Chhattisgarh, has produced several athletes who have represented the state at national competitions.

Stakeholders and Impact

For Animesh Kujur and the broader community of young athletes from Jashpur, a mention on Mann Ki Baat represents significant national visibility. State governments have consistently used such acknowledgements to advocate for better training infrastructure and institutional support for regional sports talent.

Heritage conservationists and the state archaeology department stand to benefit from increased public and policy attention on the Malhar copper plates. National-level recognition typically generates momentum for funding and formal protection status for archaeological sites. Chhattisgarh's 3 crore residents, as invoked by CM Sai, are framed as collective stakeholders in both the sporting and cultural recognition.

What's Next

The pattern of state governments formally acknowledging Mann Ki Baat mentions suggests that follow-up announcements — such as state awards for Animesh Kujur or fresh allocations for Malhar site development — are plausible in the coming weeks. Observers will watch for any concrete policy action from the Chhattisgarh government translating this national spotlight into on-ground support for athletes and heritage preservation.

Subsequent episodes of Mann Ki Baat and any state budget or administrative orders relating to Jashpur's sports infrastructure or the Bilaspur archaeology department will be key indicators of how this recognition is converted into sustained institutional backing.