Raipur, July 30: President Droupadi Murmu hosted a 209-member tribal delegation from Bastar led by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, honouring traditional community leaders, Padma Shri awardees, and cultural artists.

Hosting a special luncheon for the delegation—which included winners of Bastar Pandum-2026 and traditional tribal heads such as Pargana Majhis, Majhis, and Chalkis—President Murmu personally served food to the guests.

Interacting with the delegates, President Murmu expressed her desire to participate in the upcoming Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum festivals following an invitation from Chief Minister Sai. Recalling her personal connection with tribal social systems, she shared that her father was also a Majhi and emphasized that traditional governance structures remain a vital foundation for social harmony and cultural preservation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who attended the gathering, termed the event an unprecedented celebration of tribal pride, noting that Rashtrapati Bhavan had never before witnessed such a large assembly of Bastar representatives in traditional attire.

Commending the region’s progress, President Murmu observed that Bastar is steadily moving towards peace, infrastructure growth, and development, with local leaders bridging the gap between the administration and rural communities.

During the interaction, Chief Minister Sai presented President Murmu with a commemorative artwork depicting ‘Jhitku-Mitki’, a 300-year-old folk legend of Bastar symbolizing love, sacrifice, and cultural devotion.

The delegation, which also included Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, was later guided on an official tour of the constitutional landmarks within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex.