President's House Special Guest Becomes Bastar's Manjhi-Chalki: Bastar Pandum-2026 Winners and Tribal Representatives Received Special Honor

President's House Special Guest Becomes Bastar's Manjhi-Chalki : Bastar Pandum-2026 Winners and Tribal Representatives Received Special Honor Bastar is moving forward in a new direction of peace, development and prosperity : President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu President's House witnessed the grandeur of Bastar's tribal culture for the first time : Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah The President herself served food to the guests as a mark of respect President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu expressed a desire to attend Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum A 209-member delegation led by Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sahay presented the President with a unique 300-year-old 'Jhitku-Mitki' artwork Raipur, Bastar's folk culture, tribal traditions and proud heritage of social leadership created history today in the President's House. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sahay, the 209-member delegation comprising winners of Bastar Pandum-2026, representatives of traditional tribal leadership, Padma Shri honoured personalities and representatives from various fields received a warm welcome at the President's House. On this occasion President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu organized a special feast to honour the winners of Bastar Pandum-2026, the Paragana Manjhi, Manjhi, Chalki and Padma Shri honoured personalities. A rare and intimate scene in Indian democratic tradition was witnessed when the President herself served food to all the guests, and her simple warmth moved the entire delegation. The delegation included Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma, Culture and Tourism Minister Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, representatives of Bastar's traditional tribal leadership, winning artists of Bastar Pandum-2026, Padma Shri honoured personalities, elected representatives and senior administrative officers. President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu engaged in heartfelt dialogue with the delegation members, learning in detail about Bastar's tribal culture, folk arts, traditional social system, the Manjhi-Chalki system and the organization of Bastar Pandum. She praised the contributions of artists and tribal representatives, stating that Bastar's cultural heritage is an invaluable treasure of India and its preservation is a duty of the entire nation. The President expressed a wish to visit Bastar. At the request of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sahay, President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu expressed a desire to participate in future Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum. She said Bastar Dussehra touches her heart especially. The President mentioned the wooden idol of Lord Jagannath and the unique traditions of Bastar Dussehra, saying she has a special emotional connection with Bastar Dussehra. The President said that Manjhi are part of her family and her father was also a Manjhi. She said that the traditional tribal leadership system is a strong foundation for social unity, community participation and cultural preservation. Bastar Pandum gave culture a new identity President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu said Bastar Pandum is a vibrant celebration of Chhattisgarh's rich tribal traditions, folk arts and cultural heritage. She said the event has given Bastar's authentic cultural identity new national and international prestige. She added that such events connect youth to their cultural roots while also giving new momentum to tourism, local employment and economic activities. President Mrs. Murmu expressed confidence that Bastar's artists, craftsmen and youth will continue to safeguard their cultural identity and play an important role in nation building. Bastar is becoming a new identity of development and peace President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu said that due to the government's sustained efforts and local participation, Bastar is now moving forward in a new direction of peace, development and prosperity. She praised the expansion of education, roads, electricity, drinking water and other basic facilities, stating that this positive change in Bastar is a source of joy and pride for the whole country. She specially praised the role of Manjhi and Chalki, saying they act as effective bridges between society and administration, contributing significantly to social harmony and the preservation of cultural values. First time such grandeur of Bastar seen in President's House - Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah On this occasion Union Home and Co-operative Minister Mr. Amit Shah said that although he has visited the President's House many times, it was the first time he saw such a large delegation in traditional tribal attire of Bastar together. He said this scene is a wonderful symbol of India's cultural diversity and tribal pride. Chief Minister says – a moment of pride for the whole of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sahay said that the warm meeting of the Bastar delegation with President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu is a matter of great pride and honor for the entire state of Chhattisgarh, especially the Bastar region. He said that today Bastar's rich tribal culture, folk traditions and cultural heritage have been honoured on the highest constitutional platform of the country. The Chief Minister said that Bastar is moving forward with a new identity of peace, development and cultural renaissance. Events like Bastar Pandum have given tribal culture new national prestige and provided a new platform for local artists, folk traditions and cultural heritage. He said President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu has a deep emotional connection with tribal society and its culture. Her experience, affection and guidance will give new direction to the preservation and promotion of Bastar's cultural heritage. The Chief Minister invited the President to visit Bastar, saying her arrival will give Bastar's cultural heritage wider national recognition and further boost tribal enthusiasm. The delegation also toured the President's House and became aware of various historic sites and important information related to India's democratic and constitutional heritage. President was presented with a unique 300-year-old 'Jhitku-Mitki' artwork from Bastar Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sahay presented President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu with a special commemorative artwork based on the nearly 300-year-old folk tale 'Jhitku-Mitki' of Bastar. This artwork is considered a symbol of Bastar's tribal culture, love, dedication, folk faith and social harmony. According to folklore, during a severe famine, Jhitku and Mitki displayed an unforgettable example of love, sacrifice and dedication, earning them divine respect. Even today, in the Bastar region, Jhitku is worshipped as 'Khodia Raja' and Mitki as 'Gappa Devi'. On this occasion, the Chief Minister's principal secretary Mr. Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Mr. Rahul Bhagat, Special Secretary Mr. Rajat Bansal, Culture Department Secretary Dr. S. Bhartidasan, Bastar Division Commissioner Mr. Doman Singh, Director of Culture and Official Language Department Mr. Sanjay Kannaunje and other senior officials were present.