Raipur, April 5, 2025 / Addressing the Bastar Pandum festival, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Bastar is now changing, and this change will be permanent. He expressed confidence that the people of Bastar now want freedom from Naxalism and want to move forward by joining the mainstream of development. He said that events like Bastar Pandum and Bastar Olympics are symbols of this public sentiment.
Decisive Battle Against Naxalism: Commitment of the Center and the State
Chief Minister Shri Sai informed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah have resolved to eliminate Naxalism from the entire country by March 31, 2026. Due to the strong action of security forces in Chhattisgarh, continuous success is being achieved. Chief Minister Shri Sai expressed hope that by the grace of Maa Danteshwari, this resolution will surely be fulfilled.
Bastar: Confluence of Natural Beauty and Cultural Heritage
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Bastar is a natural paradise – it has many waterfalls and dense forests of Abujhmad. Tourists from the country and the world will come here again and Bastar will get its glorious place. The participation of 47 thousand artists in Bastar Pandum and 1.65 lakh youth in Bastar Olympics is the biggest testimony to this change.
Bastar Pandum Becomes a Symbol of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Bastar Pandum has realized Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s dream of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. In this event, 47 thousand artists from 6 neighboring states like Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh participated. The festival featured a vibrant display of tribal culture, costumes, food and traditions.
Schemes of Double Engine Government Are Changing Lives
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that there has been a double engine government in the state for the last 15 months. Modi’s guarantee is being fulfilled through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, schemes related to farmers, and the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, which gives ₹1000 every month to 70 lakh mothers and sisters.
Prime Minister Janman Yojana Gives New Life to Tribal Communities
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that through the PM Janman Yojana started by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, roads, electricity, water and other facilities are being provided to particularly backward tribes like Abujhmadia, Korwa, Birhor, Pando.
Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana: A Historic Initiative of 80,000 Crores
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana, there will be all-round development in 6,500 tribal villages of Chhattisgarh. This scheme is a big step towards rural prosperity and social justice.
Niyad Nellanar Yojana: Journey from Security to Service
Chief Minister Shri Sai informed that security camps have been opened in more than 100 villages. Through these camps, facilities like roads, electricity, water, ration cards, Ayushman cards, and schools-hospitals are being provided.
He said that where there used to be the sound of bullets, now there is the sound of school bells.
Future of Chhattisgarh: Prosperity, Education and Peace
Chief Minister Shri Sai expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will soon be free from Naxalism and will be recognized as a developed, prosperous state. Happiness and prosperity will come in every household.
Bastar Pandum: Festival of Cultural Harmony
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Bastar Pandum event lasted for 45 days and was organized from block to division level. Chief Minister Shri Sai congratulated and wished all the artists involved in this event.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Bastar is changing, and this change is the result of the government’s efforts as well as the public’s trust.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah does not only make policies from Delhi, he himself comes here to feel the pain of Bastar, meets the victims, eats with them. This is proof of true empathy and commitment towards Bastar.
He described Chief Minister Shri Sai as being connected to the soil of Bastar as the first tribal Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and said that under his leadership today, facilities like roads, electricity, water, mobile towers, schools, hospitals, Anganwadis, irrigation are reaching village after village at a rapid pace.