Jagdalpur lit up with hope as Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to eliminate Naxalism nationwide by March 31, 2026, during the grand finale of Bastar Pandum 2026. At Lalbagh Maidan, he portrayed Bastar as India’s cultural crown, applauding the state for infusing fresh vitality into its storied folk traditions via this spectacular showcase.
The event crowned excellence among 53,000 artists from 1,885 village councils in Bastar’s seven districts, competing in 12 folk disciplines. Elite winners are headed to Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan, elevating local talent to national prestige.
Shah invoked the sanctity of Bastar’s heritage, safeguarded since Ramayana times, and unique globally. He credited PM Modi’s Dharti Aaba and PM Janman initiatives for resurrecting tribal legacies across 700+ groups, fostering pride and continuity.
From red terror to renewal: ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ has bridged Maoist voids with roads, bridges, mobile networks, rations, water, and welfare cards. In a poignant milestone, 40 villages have revived schooling, where children’s laughter drowns out past echoes of violence.
Economic momentum builds with a 118-acre industrial hub in Bastar and tourism thrust. Irrigation power of 220 MW awaits Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur over 275,000 acres, while rail and river links will integrate far-flung areas.
CM Vishnu Dev Sai proclaimed Bastar Pandum as the essence of regional identity, tied to Danteshwari worship. He thanked Shah’s unwavering support, which galvanized 54,000 artists this year—surpassing last year’s 47,000—to parade dances, instruments, paintings, dramas, and tribal brews before a worldwide audience.
This cultural odyssey not only preserves but propels Bastar’s legacy, aligning with the march towards a Naxal-free India.