Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
*Chhattisgarh government is giving new life to the culture of Bastar
*Bastar will be developed in five years
*Winners of Bastar Pandum honored
Jagdalpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Bastar is the jewel of India’s culture. Through Bastar Pandum, the Chhattisgarh government has given new life to the culture and glorious traditions of this region.
Union Home Minister Shah and Chief Minister Sai honored all the winners of Bastar Pandum 2026. The Union Home Minister informed that the folk artists who secured the first, second, and third positions will be invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) in Delhi, where they will also get an opportunity to showcase their art and have a meal.
Addressing the closing ceremony held at Lalbagh Ground in Jagdalpur on Monday February 9, 2026 on the occasion of the conclusion of the three-day divisional-level event of Bastar Pandum, which aims at the preservation and promotion of tribal art and culture and the celebration of tribal nature and traditions, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that more than 53,000 folk artists from 32 Janpad Panchayats and 1885 Gram Panchayats of 7 districts of Bastar division have given outstanding performances in 12 disciplines.
The state government is working to promote this folk culture through Bastar Pandum 2026.
Dharti Aaba Yojana to revive tribal culture and traditional heritage
Union Home Minister Shah said that no other country in the world has a culture like Bastar, and the people here have preserved it intact since the time of Lord Rama. He said that Prime Minister 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.
Amit Shah clearly stated that our fight is not against anyone, but to provide security to the innocent tribal people here. The deadline for the elimination of Maoism remains the same. Thanks to the indomitable courage and bravery of the security forces, Maoism will be brought to its knees by March 31, 2026, the Union Home Minister said .
He praised the Naxal rehabilitation policy being implemented in the state, saying that those in rehabilitation centers are also being engaged in employment-oriented and creative activities, Amit Shah added .
In 40 villages, school bells are now heard instead of the sound of gunfire.
The Union Home Minister said that under the Niyad Nella Nar scheme, the state government is continuously preparing a roadmap for Maoist-affected areas, establishing roads, bridges, mobile towers, and also providing ration distribution, clean drinking water, Aadhaar cards, and Ayushman cards. The Union Home Minister said that in the Maoist-affected villages of the Bastar division, which were far removed from development due to the red terror, schools have been reopened in 40 villages. Now, instead of the sound of gunfire, school bells are heard there. Amit Shah stated.
Work to generate 220 megawatts of electricity for irrigation in 275,000 acres in Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts will begin soon.
Union Home Minister Shah informed the audience that an industrial area will be established in 118 acres in Bastar district, and tourism will be promoted. In addition, work to generate 220 megawatts of electricity for irrigation in 275,000 acres in Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts will begin soon. Furthermore, rail projects and river interlinking projects will be expanded to connect remote areas with the headquarters.
Bastar Pandum is not just an event, it is a celebration of Bastar’s identity – Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, addressing the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum, said that Bastar’s identity is intrinsically linked to Goddess Danteshwari. Bastar Pandum is not just an event, but a celebration of Bastar’s identity.
He expressed gratitude for Home Minister Amit Shah’s affection and attachment towards Chhattisgarh and especially Bastar. The Chief Minister said that last time too, Union Home Minister Shah’s presence had boosted the morale of the people of Bastar, and today, his presence is once again infusing new energy into the artists and the people of the region, the CM added.
Bastar Pandum organized to showcase the rich culture to the world
CM Sai congratulated all the artists and participants of Bastar Pandum for showcasing the rich culture of Bastar to the country and the world. The Chief Minister informed that last year 47,000 artists participated in Bastar Pandum, and this year more than 54,000 artists have participated, showcasing 12 different art forms of Bastar, including its culture, cuisine, attire, local literature, folk dances, songs, crafts, Bastar beverages, medicinal paintings, musical instruments, and theatrical performances. Through Bastar Pandum, the rich culture of Bastar has been showcased to the country and the world, and efforts have been made to preserve its cultural heritage.
Bastar’s development being discussed 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. Thanks to the efforts of the Prime Minister, Bastar’s development is being discussed across the country. He said that earlier, Bastar was known throughout the country for Maoist activities, but now its culture, tourism, and rich heritage are being discussed, Sai noted.
Bastar is witnessing a new dawn of progress.
Chief Minister 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, Madia, Muria, Bhatra, Dhurwa, and Gond had slowed down, the beat of the mandal drum had fallen silent, but today Bastar is changing.
A new dawn of progress is being witnessed here. CM Sai said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the central and state governments are jointly fighting a decisive battle against Naxalism and will eradicate Naxalism completely by March 2026, he affirmed.
Rehabilitation with dignity under the surrender policy
The Chief Minister said that our police and security forces personnel are striking hard against Naxalism in dense forests, in adverse conditions, without caring for their own lives. Through the Niyad Nella Nar (Your Good Village) scheme, basic facilities like roads, electricity, water, education, and health have been provided to the villages. The surrender policy has been made more humane and sensitive; those who want to leave the path of violence and return to the mainstream are being rehabilitated with dignity.
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. 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 such as eco-tourism, homestays, and trekking, so that tourists can learn about the rich culture and civilisation of not only Bastar but also Chhattisgarh, and tourism can be attracted to Chhattisgarh.
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma, while appreciating the rich and unique tribal culture of Bastar at the grand Bastar Pandum event, reiterated the government’s commitment to the all-round development and lasting peace of the region. Sharma said that the cultural heritage of Bastar is unique in the world.
He described traditional festivals like Cherchera Pandum, Tihar, and Vija Pandum as invaluable traditions deeply connected to tribal life, nature, and agriculture. Reiterating his firm stance against Naxalism, he said that in the last few years, roads, education, healthcare, and the presence of the national flag have reached the remote and neglected areas of Bastar, marking a new beginning of development and trust.
Dy. CM Vijay Sharma described Bastar Pandum as a community-led event, stating that its true organisers are traditional community leaders such as Manjhi-Chalki, Gayata, and Pujari, whose cooperation made the Bastar Pandum a success. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the event.
Culture and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal provided detailed information about the objectives of Bastar Pandum 2026 and the artists participating in the 12 disciplines. He said that this event will serve as a medium to showcase Bastar’s rich culture to the country and the world, thereby spreading awareness of our culture and civilisation.
On this occasion, Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, MP Mahesh Kashyap, Padma Shri Ajay Mandavi, Budhri Tati, Hemchand Manjhi, Pandiram Manjhi, MP Bhojraj Nag, Vice Chairperson of Bastar Development Authority Lata Usendi, along with other public representatives, Gayata, Pujari, Manjhi-Chalki, artists of Bastar Pandum, Mayor Sanjay Pandey, Commissioner Doman Singh, Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P, Collector Akash Chikara, and Superintendent of Police Shalabh Sinha, and a large number of other dignitaries were present.
