In Conversation with Sourav Ganguly: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Dev Sai Recalls Rustic Beginnings and Shared Love for Cricket

Childhood Passion for Cricket: Making Bats from Wood. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai Shares Memories with Former Indian Cricket Captain Sourav Ganguly

RAIPUR (Chhattisgarh) India CSR: In a cordial meeting today, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai welcomed former Indian Cricket Team captain and ex-BCCI President Mr. Sourav Ganguly. The meeting was marked by mutual new year greetings and discussions on various topics, including cricket, the state of Chhattisgarh, and its sports culture.

Crafting Bats in Childhood

During their conversation, Saurabh Ganguly inquired about the Chief Minister’s interest in cricket. Sai fondly recounted his childhood in the village, where his passion for cricket led him to craft his own bats from wood. He also highlighted the sporting culture in his home district of Jashpur, where hockey is popular, and the Pahari Korwa tribe exhibits remarkable skill in archery.

First Visit to Chhattisgarh

Saurabh Ganguly shared his impressions of his first visit to Chhattisgarh, praising the Nava Raipur stadium. He noted its suitability for international matches and the fact that legends like Sachin Tendulkar have played there. He was curious about the Chief Minister’s visits to Kolkata, to which Mr. Sai responded about his frequent trips there as the Union Minister of State, overseeing the Steel Ministry.

Cultural Exchange and Gifts

In a gesture of cultural exchange, Mr. Ganguly presented a signed cricket bat to the Chief Minister, who reciprocated with a statue crafted from Bell metal and a shawl. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister OP Chaudhary, MLA Sampat Agrawal, and Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. P. Dayanand. Agrawal gifted Sai and Ganguly prasad from Jagannath Puri and a photograph.

Discussion on Wildlife and Agriculture

The conversation turned to wildlife, with Mr. Ganguly asking about a photograph of Prime Minister Modi with a tiger, taken in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister confirmed its location and discussed the Raipur Jungle Safari. He also informed Mr. Ganguly about the 300 metric tons of fragrant rice sent from Chhattisgarh for the Shri Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya’s newly constructed Ram Temple.

Finance Minister’s Admiration

On a lighter note, Finance Minister Mr. Chaudhary expressed his admiration for Mr. Ganguly’s cricketing skills, particularly his offside shots, which used to thrill fans like him.

This meeting not only highlighted shared passions and cultural exchanges but also showcased the diverse and rich heritage of Chhattisgarh.