Raipur, March 14: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday asserted that the state government is successfully restoring peace and happiness in the Bastar region through firm determination and development-oriented governance. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the two-day tribal festival ‘Adi Parab’ held at the Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI) premises in Nava Raipur, the Chief Minister noted that the region, which remained untouched by development for nearly 40 years due to Naxal influence, is now witnessing a rapid transformation.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the state is moving towards becoming Naxal-free, which will usher in a new era of safety and prosperity for the tribal community. He highlighted that the ‘Adi Parab’ event, themed ‘From Tradition to Identity’, served as a significant platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage and arts of the 43 diverse tribes of Chhattisgarh, along with folk artists from Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
Marking a milestone for tribal education, Chief Minister Sai inaugurated a 100-seater hostel built at a cost of ₹5 crore within the TRTI campus. This facility is aimed at providing better opportunities for higher education and research to tribal youth. He also lauded the department as the ‘Adi Parab’ painting and attire segment secured a place in the ‘Golden Book of World Records’.
Reiterating the Union Government’s commitment, the Chief Minister mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tribal welfare has become a top priority. He cited the appointment of Smt Droupadi Murmu as the President of India as a matter of immense pride for the entire community. He further detailed that the ‘Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ is currently transforming 6,691 identified settlements in the state.
Regarding specific welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister stated that the ‘PM Janman Yojana’ is benefitting over 56,000 families across 2,300 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) settlements with essential infrastructure. Additionally, the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (Your Good Village) scheme is ensuring that basic amenities like electricity, water, and healthcare reach the interior tribal pockets of Bastar.
Tribal Development Minister Ramvichar Netam and Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the government’s efforts in documenting tribal history through digital museums and providing quality education via Eklavya and Prayas schools. During the event, the Chief Minister honoured tribal students Ankit Sakini and Diamond Dhruv for their success in the UPSC examinations and distributed checks for laptops to students selected for NITs and IITs.