Jagadalpur, Feb 9: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday described Bastar as the jewel of India’s cultural heritage and stated that the Bastar Pandum festival has infused new life into the ancient traditions and cultural identity of the region. Addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day divisional-level festival at Lalbagh Maidan in Jagdalpur, Shah announced that artists securing the top three positions in all competitive categories would be invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi to showcase their art and participate in a special feast.
The Union Home Minister, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, noted that more than 55,000 folk artists from 32 janpad panchayats and 1,885 gram panchayats across seven districts of the Bastar division participated in the event. This marks a significant increase from the 47,000 artists who participated in the previous edition, highlighting the growing popularity of the divisional-level cultural extravaganza.
Shah reiterated that the deadline for completely eliminating Maoism remains 31 March 2026 and stated that the primary focus of security efforts is to protect innocent tribal citizens. He praised the state’s rehabilitation policy for former Naxalites and noted that those who return to the mainstream are being provided with employment-oriented and creative activities. Under the Niyad Nella Nar scheme, development works such as road construction, mobile towers, and tap water connections are being expedited in formerly Maoist-affected areas to ensure that the benefits of governance reach every household.
The Union Minister informed the gathering that the sound of gunfire is being replaced by school bells in Bastar as schools have recently been reopened in 40 villages across the division. He announced several major infrastructure projects to boost the regional economy, including work to generate 220 megawatts of electricity and provide irrigation for 2.75 lakh acres in Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts. Furthermore, a new industrial area spanning 118 acres is being developed in Bastar district to foster local entrepreneurship and generate jobs for tribal youth.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the festival as a powerful medium to preserve tribal culture and pass it on to future generations. He noted that the event showcased 12 diverse art forms, including traditional attire, folk dance, and handicrafts, helping to present Bastar’s heritage at national and international levels. The Chief Minister added that Bastar is now emerging as a land of opportunity and development, witnessing a new phase of progress through the joint efforts of the central and state governments.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to lasting peace in the region and described traditional festivals like Cherchera Pandum and Vija Pandum as being deeply connected with tribal life and nature. Shah also highlighted the global recognition of Dhudmaras village as the best tourism village by the United Nations and stated that the government is promoting eco-tourism and homestays to showcase the unique heritage of the tribal heartland to the world.