CM Sai Distributes Assistive Devices to 1,739 Divyangjan in Raipur
Synopsis
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai distributed modern assistive devices worth Rs 3.58 crore to 1,739 persons with disabilities in Raipur under Project Sahara on 3 August 2026, and announced Rs 7 crore for renovation of the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium.
Key Takeaways
1,739 divyangjan received modern assistive devices at the Project Sahara distribution event in Raipur on 3 August 2026 .
The devices are collectively valued at Rs 3.58 crore , distributed under Chhattisgarh's Project Sahara scheme.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai described the devices as instruments of 'self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-reliance,' not mere aids.
The event was held at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium , Raipur.
CM Sai announced Rs 7 crore for renovation and beautification of the stadium.
The scheme aligns with the national Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the central ADIP scheme framework.
A wheelchair, a hearing aid, a white cane — for 1,739 persons with disabilities in Chhattisgarh, these are not just tools. They are, as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai put it on Monday, 3 August 2026, a new beginning of self-respect and independence. The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh announced that CM Sai attended the 'Project Sahara — Divyangjan Upkaran Vitaran Karyakram 2026' (Project Sahara Assistive Device Distribution Programme 2026) at the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur, where modern assistive devices worth Rs 3.58 crore were distributed under the state welfare scheme.
What Project Sahara delivered on the ground
Project Sahara is Chhattisgarh's dedicated scheme for distributing modern assistive devices to divyangjan — persons with disabilities. At Monday's event, 1,739 beneficiaries received devices collectively valued at Rs 3.58 crore. CM Sai was categorical about what these devices represent: 'These are not merely aids,' he said, 'but a new start for self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-reliance.'
The scheme fits within the national architecture of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the central ADIP (Assistance to Disabled Persons) scheme, which provides aids and appliances to eligible persons. Chhattisgarh's Project Sahara operationalises that framework at the state level through targeted distribution camps.
The 'Divyang' moment — and why the word still carries weight
CM Sai invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coinage of the term 'divyang' — literally, 'divinely limbed' — which Modi introduced in 2015 to replace the older 'viklang' (handicapped), arguing that a change in language signals a change in social attitude. Sai reiterated that the dignity and empowerment of divyangjan are among the 'highest priorities' of the state's Sushaasan Sarkar (good governance government).
The framing is deliberate: welfare delivery as an act of recognition, not charity. It is a political and administrative posture that has become central to how the BJP-led state government presents its disability inclusion agenda.
Rs 7 crore for the Raipur stadium — a bonus announcement
The event carried a second headline. CM Sai announced Rs 7 crore for the renovation, repair, and beautification of the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur — the very venue that hosted Monday's programme. The stadium is one of Raipur's principal indoor sports facilities, and the upgrade signals a parallel push to improve public infrastructure alongside the welfare delivery.
Two announcements, one venue, one afternoon — and a clear signal that the Sai government intends to keep disability welfare and public infrastructure upgrades front and centre as it heads deeper into its term.
Point of View
Who took office in December 2023, high-visibility distribution events serve a dual purpose: demonstrating delivery on welfare promises while reinforcing alignment with the Modi government's social inclusion narrative. The simultaneous stadium renovation announcement suggests the government is also keen to tie infrastructure upgrades to welfare moments for maximum political visibility. Watching whether Project Sahara expands to further districts — and whether the Rs 7 crore stadium work is tendered and executed on schedule — will be the real test of intent.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Sahara in Chhattisgarh?
Project Sahara is a Chhattisgarh state government scheme that distributes modern assistive devices — such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and mobility aids — to persons with disabilities (divyangjan) to promote self-reliance and inclusion.
How many people benefited from the Project Sahara event in Raipur in 2026?
A total of 1,739 divyangjan received assistive devices worth Rs 3.58 crore at the Project Sahara distribution event held on 3 August 2026 at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur.
What did CM Vishnu Deo Sai announce at the Project Sahara event?
CM Sai announced Rs 7 crore for the renovation, repair, and beautification of the Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, in addition to overseeing the distribution of assistive devices to 1,739 beneficiaries.
Why is the term 'divyang' used instead of 'viklang'?
'Divyang,' meaning 'divinely limbed,' was promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to replace the older term 'viklang' (handicapped), with the aim of according greater dignity and self-esteem to persons with disabilities.
Is Project Sahara linked to any central government scheme?
Yes. Project Sahara aligns with the national Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the central ADIP (Assistance to Disabled Persons) scheme , which provides aids and appliances to eligible persons with disabilities across India.
