The Hon'ble President of India's visit to Bastar on 23 October 2026 to participate in the Muriya Darbar and a public programme associated with the 75-day Bastar Dussehra celebrations offers a significant opportunity to bring national attention to the region's extraordinary cultural heritage and the aspirations of its people. It is also an important occasion to recognise this rich heritage and honour the generations of communities who have preserved and nurtured these traditions, keeping them alive as an integral part of Bastar's cultural identity.
Bastar is not merely a geographical region of Chhattisgarh; it is the living soul of our state, where nature, faith, community and centuries-old traditions come together to create a unique cultural identity. The forests and rivers of Bastar, its folk music, traditional dances, handicrafts, indigenous knowledge and vibrant festivals tell the story of communities whose lives remain deeply connected with nature and their ancestors. These traditions are not remnants of the past; they are a living part of the region's social and cultural life. The cultural wealth of Chhattisgarh is inseparable from its tribal communities. Their languages, oral histories, traditional knowledge, art forms and customary practices form an invaluable part of India's civilisational heritage. Preserving this wealth requires sustained efforts to document oral traditions, encourage younger generations to learn local languages and crafts, and create opportunities for cultural practitioners to share their knowledge. Our government is committed to working with tribal communities, traditional leaders, artisans and local institutions to ensure that heritage conservation remains community-led.
For Bastar, development and cultural preservation must go hand in hand. Progress cannot be measured solely through infrastructure or economic indicators. It must also ensure that communities preserve their identity, exercise their rights and pass their heritage to future generations while accessing the opportunities of a changing world.
Our government is working to improve roads, electricity, drinking water, education, healthcare and livelihoods in remote areas. The Niyad Nellanar Yojana is extending essential services and development benefits to villages in areas earlier affected by Left-Wing Extremism. Peace, public trust and access to basic services are essential to building a future in which communities can sustain their traditions and young people can pursue their aspirations. Connectivity is an important pillar of our vision for Bastar's development. The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway, the railway line connecting Jagdalpur and Rowghat, and expanding air connectivity will improve access to the region and open new avenues for tourism, trade, employment and local enterprise. Better connectivity will help bring Bastar closer to wider markets while creating opportunities for its people. We are equally committed to strengthening education, healthcare and agriculture. Education Cities in Abujhmad and Jagargunda will help children in remote areas access quality education, while new and expanded medical facilities in Geedam, Jagdalpur and Dantewada will improve healthcare and medical education. We are also prioritising irrigation through projects on the Indravati River, which will expand irrigation facilities, support farmers and strengthen agricultural livelihoods across the region. Creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities is equally important. Skill training centres are helping young people develop employable skills and pursue self-employment. Special support for agro-processing and agro-forest processing, alongside initiatives promoting goat farming, pig farming and beekeeping, will help expand economic opportunities rooted in local resources.
Our cultural initiatives are also creating platforms for Bastar's people to showcase their talent. Bastar Pandum brings indigenous art, traditional crafts, folk performances and younger artists into the public eye. The 2026 edition brought together around 55,000 tribal participants across 12 cultural categories. Bastar Olympics has similarly encouraged participation, community pride and enthusiasm among young people. Such events help strengthen cultural identity while creating opportunities for wider recognition.
Tourism offers significant opportunities to promote Bastar's cultural heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities. We are working to develop the Bastar Tourism Circuit and promote homestays that enable local families to benefit from the growing interest in the region. The selection of Dhurmaras village in the Kanger Valley region for the United Nations World Tourism Organization's Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme reflects Bastar's potential for responsible, community-based tourism. By strengthening tourism infrastructure and training local youth in tourism management, we aim to create new employment opportunities while preserving the region's rich cultural traditions and natural environment. However, Bastar must never be seen merely as a tourist destination or a collection of cultural attractions. It is a living society with its own knowledge, history and aspirations. Tourism and cultural exchange must respect local customs, protect the natural environment and give communities a meaningful role in shaping how their heritage is shared. Our commitment is to create opportunities without compromising the values that make Bastar distinctive. The preservation of folk songs, oral histories, indigenous languages, traditional crafts and customary knowledge is a responsibility we share. These traditions enrich not only Chhattisgarh but the cultural fabric of India. They deserve recognition, systematic documentation and the support needed to flourish in future generations. The Hon'ble President's visit offers an opportunity to reflect on Bastar's enduring cultural legacy and the responsibility we share in shaping its future. Today, Bastar is moving towards a new era of development while preserving its rich cultural heritage and traditions. With continued progress in peace, good governance, connectivity, education, healthcare and employment opportunities, the vision of Bastar's holistic development is gradually becoming a reality. Our endeavour is to ensure that every citizen participates in this journey of progress and that Bastar advances towards greater prosperity and new opportunities while preserving its distinctive cultural identity.
The writer is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh; Views presented are personal.