Bastar is an ornament of India’s culture – Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah

Bastar’s culture is being given new life by the Chhattisgarh government, Bastar will become developed in five years, winners of Bastar Pandum honored. Jagdalpur, February 09, 2026/ Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that Bastar is an ornament of India’s culture. The Chhattisgarh government has given new life to the culture and glorious tradition of Bastar through Bastar Pandum. Union Home Minister Shri Shah and Chief Minister Shri Sai honored all the winners of Bastar Pandum 2026. The Union Home Minister informed that folk artists who secured first, second, and third positions will be invited to the Presidential Palace in the capital Delhi, where they will get an opportunity to showcase their art and have a meal. Union Home Minister Shri Shah, while addressing the concluding ceremony of the three-day division-level event of Bastar Pandum, which is a celebration of the preservation and promotion of tribal art and culture and tribal nature and tradition, held today at Lalbagh Maidan in Jagdalpur, said that more than 53 thousand folk artists from 32 Janpad Panchayats and 1885 Gram Panchayats in 07 districts of Bastar division performed excellently in 12 disciplines. The state government is working to further promote this folk culture through Bastar Pandum 2026. Dharti Aaba Yojana to revive tribal culture and traditional heritage. Shri Shah said that there is no culture like Bastar in any country of the world, and its people have preserved it intact since the time of Lord Shri Rama. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has implemented many schemes like Dharti Aaba Yojana and PM Janman Yojana to revive the tribal culture and traditional heritage of more than 700 tribes in the country. Shri Shah clearly stated that our fight is not with anyone but to provide security to the innocent tribal population here. The deadline for Maoist eradication remains the same. With the indomitable courage and bravery of the jawans, Maoism will have to bow down by March 31, 2026. He praised the Naxal rehabilitation policy being implemented in the state and said that they are also being connected with employment-oriented and creative activities in the rehabilitation centers. Instead of the sound of bullets, school bells are heard in schools in 40 villages. The Union Home Minister said that under the Niyad Nalla Nar scheme, the state government is continuously preparing roadmaps in Maoist-affected areas to establish roads, bridges, and mobile towers, as well as distributing rations, providing pure drinking water, and making Aadhaar cards and Ayushman cards. The Union Home Minister said that in the Maoist-affected villages of Bastar division, which were far from development due to the red terror, schools have been reopened in 40 villages. Now, instead of the sound of bullets, school bells are heard there. 220 MW of electricity production for irrigation in 02 lakh 75 thousand acres in Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts will start soon. Shri Shah informed the audience from the stage that an industrial area will be established in 118 acres in Bastar district and tourism will be promoted. Additionally, 220 MW of electricity production for irrigation in 02 lakh 75 thousand acres in Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts will commence soon. Rail projects and river linking projects will be expanded to connect remote areas with headquarters. Bastar Pandum is not just an event, it is a festival of Bastar’s identity – Chief Minister Shri Sai. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, while addressing the concluding ceremony of Bastar Pandum, said that Bastar’s identity lies with Mata Danteshwari. Bastar Pandum is not just an event, but a festival of Bastar’s identity. He expressed gratitude for Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah’s affection and attachment towards Chhattisgarh and especially Bastar. The Chief Minister said that Shri Shah’s presence on the previous occasion had boosted the morale of the people of Bastar, and today again his presence is infusing new energy into the artists and the people here. Bastar Pandum organized to bring rich culture to the country and the world. Shri Sai congratulated all the artists and participants of Bastar Pandum for bringing Bastar’s rich culture to the fore in the country and the world. The Chief Minister informed that last year 47 thousand artists participated in Bastar Pandum, and this year more than 54 thousand artists participated, showcasing 12 disciplines including Bastar’s culture, food, costumes, local literature, folk dance, songs, crafts, Bastaria drinks, medicinal paintings, musical instruments, and drama. Through Bastar Pandum, the work of showcasing Bastar’s rich culture to the country and the world and preserving its cultural heritage has been done. Discussions about Bastar’s development are happening across the country. The Chief Minister further said that Bastar has now become a land of opportunities. This is the new Bastar of new India. Due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, discussions about Bastar’s development are happening across the country. He said that earlier Bastar used to be discussed across the country in the name of Maoists, but now its culture, tourism, and rich heritage are being discussed. A new dawn of progress is being seen in Bastar. Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the beautiful land of Bastar has suffered the pain of Naxalism for a long time. The rhythm of various dances like Gaur, Maria, Muria, Bhatra, Dhurva, Gond had slowed down, the beat of the Mandar had fallen silent, but today Bastar is changing. A new dawn of progress is being seen here. Shri Sai said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the central and state governments are fighting a decisive battle against Naxalism together and will eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. Rehabilitation with respect under the self-surrender policy. The Chief Minister said that our police and security forces are striking hard against Naxalism in dense forests, under adverse conditions, without regard for their lives. Through the Niyad Nalla Nar – (Your Good Village) scheme, basic facilities like roads, electricity, water, education, and health have been provided in the villages. The self-surrender policy has been made more humane and sensitive, and those who want to leave the path of violence and return to the mainstream are being rehabilitated with respect. Bastar is rapidly progressing in the field of tourism. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister recently discussed the development of Bastar in Parliament as well. Shri Sai said that Bastar is also rapidly progressing in the field of tourism. The declaration of Dhudmaras village as the best tourism village by the United Nations is a matter of pride for all of us. He said that the government is continuously striving to promote tourism like eco-tourism, home-stays, and trekking, so that not only Bastar but also the rich culture and civilization of Chhattisgarh can be known to tourists, and tourism can be attracted towards Chhattisgarh. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, while appreciating the rich and distinct tribal culture of Bastar through the grand organization of Bastar Pandum, reiterated the government’s commitment to the all-round development and lasting peace of the region. Shri Sharma said that Bastar’s cultural heritage is unique in the world. He described traditional festivals like Chherchera Pandum, Tihar, and Vija Pandum as invaluable traditions linked to tribal life, nature, and agriculture. Reiterating the firm stance against Naxalism, he said that in the past few years, roads, education, health, and the presence of the national flag have reached the remote and neglected areas of Bastar, which is a new beginning of development and trust. Shri Sharma described Bastar Pandum as a community-led event, stating that its true organizers are traditional community leaders like Manjhi-Chalki, Gayata, and Pujari, with whose cooperation Bastar Pandum was successfully organized. He expressed gratitude to all those who participated in this event. Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Rajesh Agrawal provided detailed information about the objectives of Bastar Pandum 2026 and the artists participating in the 12 disciplines, and said that this event will become a medium to take Bastar’s rich culture to the country and abroad, thereby spreading knowledge of our culture and civilization. On this occasion, Minister of Forest and Climate Change Shri Kedar Kashyap, MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Padma Shri Ajay Mandavi, Smt. Budhri Tati, Shri Hemchand Manjhi, Shri Pandiram Manjhi, MP Shri Bhojraj Nag, Vice Chairman of Bastar Development Authority Ms. Lata Usendi, along with public representatives, Gayata, Pujari, Manjhi-Chalki, Bastar Pandum artists, Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey, Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, Inspector General of Police Shri Sundarraj P, Collector Shri Akash Chikara, and Superintendent of Police Shri Shalabh Sinha, along with a large number of dignitaries, were present.