0- 'Bastar Pandum' has revived the culture of Bastar by incorporating 12 genres including food, drink and dance.
0- The participation of 55,000 tribals in Bastar Pandum is a proof of Bastar being free from Naxal fear.
The Modi government, fully committed to the protection of tribal communities, is bringing global recognition to the dance and art of Bastar and tribal culture.
The government will rehabilitate the Naxalites who surrender, but weapons in hand will be answered with weapons in hand.
Bastar will become the most developed tribal region in the next five years; new tourism activities will enrich Bastar with employment.
Declaring Birsa Munda's birth anniversary as Tribal Pride Day and his 150th birth anniversary as Tribal Pride Year is a clear proof of Modi's respect for the tribal community.
The fundamental basis of the fight against Naxalism is the protection of tribal farmers, innocent children and women.
The new industrial area being built on 0-118 acres will become a strong base for employment for the people of Bastar.
It is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the culture of Bastar should reach the country and the world.
Raipur , June 25 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah today attended the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum 2026 in Chhattisgarh as the chief guest. Several dignitaries, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, were present on the occasion. In his address, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah said that Bastar, which a few years ago was terrified by Naxalite attacks, and the sound of mortar shells, gunfire, and explosive blasts instilled fear in our tribal brothers and sisters, is now a part of Bastar. Today, in that same Bastar, 55,000 people have worked to revive the local culture across 12 disciplines, including food, song, dance, drama, costumes, traditions, and forest medicines. He called this a significant achievement. Shri Amit Shah remarked that the Chhattisgarh government has worked to revitalize the culture of Bastar. At the last Bastar Pandum, competitions were held in seven disciplines, and this time, by adding five new disciplines, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai has worked to promote our tribal and Bastar culture. He said that this year, 55,000 participants from seven districts, 1,885 gram panchayats, and 32 district headquarters participated in 12 disciplines. The Union Home Minister said that Bastar's culture and art are unmatched in any tribal region in the world, and we want to keep it alive for centuries to come. He said that Bastar's art, culture, songs, and dance are not only the jewels of Bastar, but also the jewels of the entire Indian culture, and Bastar Pandum has promoted this. Shri Shah said that the tribes of Bastar have a unique culture of their own. He said that they have preserved this culture since the time of Lord Shri Ram. The major dances of this region are also gaining national recognition in the coming days. The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to showcase Bastar's culture to the nation and the world. He stated that Bastar's identity cannot be defined by gunpowder, but by its rich culture and heritage. Shah also stated that the Modi government, fully committed to the protection of tribal communities, is bringing global recognition to Bastar's dance, art, and tribal culture. Prime Minister Modi clearly believes that history isn't just something written in books; history is something that lives on in the memories of the people.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in honor of the tribal communities, initiated the celebration of Lord Birsa Munda's birth anniversary as Tribal Pride Day across the country. The 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda was celebrated as the Tribal Pride Year across the country. He added that Modi promoted the commercial use of tribal crafts, culture, cuisine, and forest produce, and arranged for the branding and marketing of 500,000 forest produce and traditional crafts. The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation stated that Pandit Ram Mandavi of Narayanpur, Hemchandra Manjhi, Ajay Kumar Mandavi of Kanker, and Bhudhari Dati of Dantewada have been honored nationwide with Padma Awards in the fields of art, health, and education. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also launched a massive program to honor more than 700 tribal communities. The Prime Minister launched a Tribal Museum with an outlay of ₹200 crore, preserving the memories of tribal leaders who participated in the freedom struggle. The Home Minister thanked the President for attending the inauguration ceremony of Bastar Pandum. Mr. Shah stated that he had requested that the first three participants in all 12 categories be invited to a dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which the President had accepted. Mr. Shah stated that it was a great honor that these participants would showcase their culture and art at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah stated that the fundamental basis of the fight against Naxalism was the protection of tribal farmers, innocent children, and women. He asked, "When Naxalites use 'Dhshshsh' (firearms), do they not know that tribal farmers will be permanently disabled by their footsteps? Do they not know that an innocent girl will be uprooted by this? Where do Naxalites derive such ruthlessness from?" The Union Home Minister appealed to the remaining Naxalites to surrender, stating that the government would take every possible care of those who surrender and that they would be rehabilitated with respect. Mr. Shah stated that the rehabilitation package developed by the Chhattisgarh government is very attractive. Shri Amit Shah said that he wants to appeal to all Naxalites to send the girls for rehabilitation as they still have a whole life ahead of them. He said that those who have surrendered en masse will not be harmed. The Home Minister said that those who open fire in villages, put up 'Dhs' on fields and roads, burn schools and hospitals, and shut down mobile towers will not be spared. He said that weapons will be answered with weapons. Shri Shah also said that Maoism has not done any good to anyone. The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that today our Bastar is emerging as a great brand before the entire country. There are many schools which were closed for 40 years,The Chhattisgarh government has reopened them. Mr. Shah said he wanted to ask his tribal brothers and sisters, "Whose benefit did the Naxalites achieve by closing schools? Our new generation was deprived of literacy." Mr. Shah stated that in the next five years, Bastar will become the most developed of all tribal areas, and new tourism activities will enrich Bastar with employment. All closed primary health centers, hospitals, and schools will be reopened, along with the construction of higher secondary schools and colleges. He added that post offices are now opening in every village, mobile towers are being installed, and roads connecting villages are being constructed very well. The Home Minister noted that there are many villages where our national flag, the Tricolour, was hoisted after four decades. Mr. Amit Shah said that every village will have connectivity, and a post office or bank branch will be opened every five kilometers. Every tribal's paddy will be purchased at a rate of ₹3,100, and tribals will receive 5 kg of paddy per person per month free of charge. Additionally, gas cylinders and tap water will be provided to every household. Elected representatives will represent the Panchayat, Tehsil Panchayat, and District Panchayat. He stated that once Naxalism ends, many new forms of tourism, such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks, and glass bridges, will begin to develop, and Bastar will soon be taking the region forward. Mr. Shah stated that a new industrial area and auto-gig sector are being developed on 118 acres in Bastar, providing employment to young tribal brothers and sisters. The Union Home Minister stated that work on the ₹3,500 crore Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail project has begun. The River Linking Project is also progressing, and work is underway to train over 90,000 youth in various professions. A new irrigation scheme on the Indravati River, costing ₹36 crore, will generate 120 megawatts of electricity. Mr. Amit Shah stated that today, Bastar is free from curfews, and cultural dances are ubiquitous in villages at night. This is a significant transformation for our Bastar. He said that the Bastar Olympics have been successfully held, and today we are looking to expand the Bastar Pandum. On behalf of the tribal people of Bastar, the Home Minister thanked all the soldiers who participated in the decisive fight against Naxalism and expressed gratitude to the families of the brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives in this fight. He said that no one should have any doubt that Bastar will become Naxal-free within the stipulated timeframe.A post office or bank branch will be opened every 5 kilometers. Every tribal's paddy will be purchased at the rate of ₹3,100, and tribals will receive 5 kg of paddy per person per month free of charge. Additionally, gas cylinders and tap water will be provided to every household. Elected representatives will represent the Panchayat, Tehsil, and District Panchayat. He stated that once Naxalism is eradicated, many new forms of tourism, such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks, and glass bridges, will begin to develop, and Bastar will soon be a significant step forward. Mr. Shah stated that a new industrial area and auto gig sector are being developed on 118 acres in Bastar, providing employment to tribal youth. The Union Home Minister stated that work on the ₹3,500 crore Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail project has begun. The River Linking Project is also progressing, and work is progressing to train over 90,000 youth in various trades. A new irrigation scheme will also be built on the Indravati River at a cost of ₹36 crore, generating 120 MW of electricity. Shri Amit Shah said that today there is no curfew-like atmosphere in Bastar, and cultural dances are visible in the villages at night. This is a huge change for our Bastar. He said that the Bastar Olympics have been successfully held, and today we are looking to expand the Bastar Pandum. The Home Minister thanked all the soldiers who participated in the decisive fight against Naxalism on behalf of the tribals of Bastar and expressed gratitude to the families of the brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives in this fight. He said that no one should have any doubt that Bastar will become Naxal-free within the stipulated time frame.A post office or bank branch will be opened every 5 kilometers. Every tribal's paddy will be purchased at the rate of ₹3,100, and tribals will receive 5 kg of paddy per person per month free of charge. Additionally, gas cylinders and tap water will be provided to every household. Elected representatives will represent the Panchayat, Tehsil, and District Panchayat. He stated that once Naxalism is eradicated, many new forms of tourism, such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks, and glass bridges, will begin to develop, and Bastar will soon be a significant step forward. Mr. Shah stated that a new industrial area and auto gig sector are being developed on 118 acres in Bastar, providing employment to tribal youth. The Union Home Minister stated that work on the ₹3,500 crore Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail project has begun. The River Linking Project is also progressing, and work is progressing to train over 90,000 youth in various trades. A new irrigation scheme will also be built on the Indravati River at a cost of ₹36 crore, generating 120 MW of electricity. Shri Amit Shah said that today there is no curfew-like atmosphere in Bastar, and cultural dances are visible in the villages at night. This is a huge change for our Bastar. He said that the Bastar Olympics have been successfully held, and today we are looking to expand the Bastar Pandum. The Home Minister thanked all the soldiers who participated in the decisive fight against Naxalism on behalf of the tribals of Bastar and expressed gratitude to the families of the brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives in this fight. He said that no one should have any doubt that Bastar will become Naxal-free within the stipulated time frame.No one should have any doubt in this.No one should have any doubt in this.