At state-level Tribal Pride Day celebrations in Dharamjaigarh, CM Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirms commitment to tribal dignity and prosperity; announces full input assistance for eligible farmers irrespective of paddy sales below 21 quintals per acre
TFP Bureau, Raigarh, November 15, 2026: Bastar is witnessing a transformation, with sports grounds, educational institutions and development initiatives gradually replacing the atmosphere of fear and violence, Rajya Sabha MP Nitin Naveen said on Sunday. Addressing the state-level Tribal Pride Day celebrations virtually, he said the region’s new identity was increasingly being shaped by education, sports, culture and development rather than violence.
The celebrations, held at the historic Dussehra Ground in Dharamjaigarh on the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, drew thousands of members of tribal communities. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the programme, which featured tributes to tribal icons, cultural performances, award presentations and announcements concerning farmers and forest produce collectors.
Naveen said Tribal Pride Day was an occasion to remember the struggles and sacrifices of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other tribal freedom fighters and to pass their ideals on to the younger generation. He paid tribute to leaders including Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Veer Gundadhur, Shaheed Gend Singh, Tilka Manjhi, Budhu Bhagat, Tantya Bhil and Laxman Nayak.
He praised the Sai government’s efforts to preserve tribal heritage and promote the community’s dignity and self-respect. He also highlighted the cultural contributions of communities such as the Gond, Oraon, Kanwar, Baiga, Kamar, Halba, Muria and Maria, saying their folk arts, dances, festivals and traditions form an important part of Chhattisgarh’s identity.
Referring to the Centre’s initiatives for tribal development, Naveen cited the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the PM-JANMAN scheme, with an allocation of around ₹24,000 crore, aimed at improving housing, roads, electricity, drinking water, education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities in tribal-majority areas. He also said the election of Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, as President was a matter of pride for the community.
On the situation in Bastar, Naveen credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Sai, along with the efforts of security personnel, for the progress made in the campaign against Naxalism. He paid tribute to security personnel killed in Naxal-related violence and expressed sympathy for affected families.
He said the effort to end Naxalism was not limited to restoring security but was also about bringing dignity, peace and opportunities to families affected by violence. The establishment of sports facilities and greater access to education and skill development were giving young people alternatives and new opportunities, he added.
Naveen cited the participation of more than 1.5 lakh people in the 2024 Bastar Olympics as evidence of the region’s sporting potential. He also referred to the performance of students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools, stating that 408 students cleared NEET and around 346 qualified in JEE Main in the 2025-26 academic session. He said the 75 Eklavya schools in the state were helping tribal students access quality education.
Sai reaffirms commitment to tribal dignity and development
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said his government was committed to protecting the dignity of tribal communities, preserving their culture and traditions, and ensuring that development benefits reached every tribal family.
He said the ideals and sacrifices of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other tribal leaders continued to inspire the government’s efforts to build a self-respecting, empowered and prosperous society. Sai added that the holistic development and economic empowerment of tribal communities remained a priority under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the programme by lighting a ceremonial lamp and paying tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Bharat Mata and Chhattisgarh Mahtari. He also wore traditional tribal attire and joined members of the community in celebrating their cultural heritage. The gathering subsequently listened to a virtual address by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion.
Sai honoured Padma Shri awardees Budhari Tati, Jageshwar Yadav and Pandi Ram Mandavi for their contributions to the preservation of tribal art, culture and traditions. Awards were also presented to winning teams in tribal dance competitions.
The Chief Minister visited exhibition stalls showcasing tribal art, traditional products and cultural activities. He also paid tribute to traditional community leaders, distributed honorariums to office-bearers associated with the Manjhi-Chalki system and provided bonus payments to tendu leaf collectors. Beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes were also felicitated.
Recalling Birsa Munda’s life, Sai said the freedom fighter had mobilised tribal communities against injustice, exploitation and oppression under British rule at a young age. His death at the age of 25 had become a lasting symbol of the struggle to protect tribal identity, culture and self-respect.
The Chief Minister noted that Chhattisgarh had organised state-level Tribal Pride Day celebrations in Jashpur in 2024 and Surguja in 2025, where President Droupadi Murmu had been present. Dharamjaigarh hosted the third major state-level celebration this year.
He also recalled the contributions of tribal leaders from the region to the freedom struggle, particularly Veer Narayan Singh of Sonakhan, who resisted an unjust system to help famine-hit people obtain food, as well as Veer Gundadhur and Shaheed Gend Singh.
Relief for farmers as procurement begins
In a major decision concerning paddy farmers, the state government announced that eligible farmers who sell less than 21 quintals of paddy per acre will also receive the full input assistance amount under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Paddy procurement for the 2026-27 Kharif marketing season begins across Chhattisgarh on November 15. With the addition of 360 new procurement centres, the total number of centres in the state has increased to 3,100.
The celebrations highlighted the government’s initiatives for tribal welfare, cultural preservation and rural development, while bringing together community representatives, public officials and thousands of participants from across the state.
