Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
During his visit, he:
- Led a delegation to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, which was held at the Science College Ground in Raipur.
- Visited the Chhattisgarh Tribal Museum and the Martyr Veer Narayan Singh Memorial cum Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Nava Raipur.
- Met with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
- Praised Chhattisgarh’s efforts in promoting tribal art, culture, and sports.
- Tawdekar Visited the Digital Museum Located in Nava Raipur
- MoU is to be Signed Between Goa and Chhattisgarh for Cultural Exchange, Research, and Development
Raipur : Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, the Minister for Tribal Development, Sports, and Youth Welfare of the State of Goa , who was in a 2 days visit to Chhattisgarh from March 26-28, 2026 witnessed a glimpse of Chhattisgarh’s tribal culture and heritage.
During his visit to the Chhattisgarh Tribal Museum and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial-cum-Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum—located in Nava Raipur—he was deeply impressed by the vivid displays of tribal art, culture, customs, and valor.
Goa’s Minister for Tribal Development, Dr. Tawadkar, stated that the contribution of Chhattisgarh’s tribal community to the country’s freedom struggle has been immensely significant. He was particularly impressed by the museum’s vivid portrayals of tribal valor and the extensive digitisation efforts undertaken there.
He noted that while the tribal community in the State of Goa also possesses a rich history, it has not received the same level of widespread promotion and recognition as it has in Chhattisgarh. On this occasion, while paying tribute to the revered former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he recalled that it was during his tenure in 2003 that the tribal community residing in Goa received formal recognition for the very first time.
Dr. Tawadkar remarked that there are immense possibilities for fostering greater exchange between Goa and Chhattisgarh in the fields of tribal research, development, and cultural activities.
He also extended an invitation to the delegation from the State of Chhattisgarh to visit Goa. Present on this occasion were Dr. Ajay Kumar Gode (Director of Sports, Goa), Nilesh Daigodkar (Director, Tribal Welfare Department, Goa), P. Gaonkar (Director, TRI Goa), Rajendra Borkar (OSD), and senior officials including Arjun Ramkrishna Patil, Janak Tekale, Mrukund Nayak Tubki, Ashok Arvind Kale, and Rajendra Datajirao.
MOU Between Goa and Chhattisgarh for Cultural Exchange, Research, and Development is to be Signed – Principal Secretary Sonmoni Borah
Following a tour of the museum, a brief meeting was organised in the TRI auditorium, where potential avenues for cooperation between the two states were discussed in detail. During the meeting, Principal Secretary Sonmoni Borah presented information—via a PowerPoint presentation—regarding the construction of both museums, their unique features, and their achievements.
He announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would soon be signed between Goa and Chhattisgarh, thereby establishing significant cooperation in the fields of tribal museum development, tribal research, and cultural exchange. During the meeting, the Institute’s Director, Hina Animesh Netam, provided details regarding the “Surgudi” Tribal Folk Music Studio, a project currently under development to promote tribal culture.
It is noteworthy that the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial-cum-Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum—which showcases the valor of Chhattisgarh’s tribal communities—was inaugurated on November 1, 2025 (during the Rajyotsav celebrations) at the hands of the nation’s illustrious Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Subsequently, the Chhattisgarh Adivasi Museum was inaugurated in May 2025 by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Following their inauguration, both museums have been opened to the general public. To date, the museums have been visited by over 200,000 tourists, researchers, and experts.
A tableau depicting the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Museum was featured in the Republic Day parade held on January 26, 2026, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
This initiative provided a national platform for the new generation—not only in Chhattisgarh but across the entire country—to learn about and understand the immortal sagas of tribal heroes, their patriotism, their indomitable courage, and their legacy of sacrifice.
