Akhara Development: A Remarkable Step Towards Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Culture, Traditions, and Rituals

Raipur, December 2025 : A Remarkable Step Towards Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Culture, Traditions, and Rituals

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai has taken remarkable steps to develop the places of worship and reverence of tribes under the Akhara Development Scheme and to preserve their culture and traditions. A decision has been taken to develop akhara sites to conserve and promote the ancient culture of villages in tribal areas of the state, such as traditional arts, folk tales, and rituals. For this purpose, a budget provision of Rs. 2.50 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26 under this scheme.

To promote tribal culture, traditions, and rituals, the Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on 15 November as Tribal Pride Day with full enthusiasm and respect. On the occasion of last year’s Tribal Pride Day held at the Science College Ground in Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Sai resolved to promote the Baiga-Guniya-Sirha-Hathjor tribes and develop the tribal community’s places of worship and cultural sites under the Akhara Development Scheme. This is a meaningful initiative toward preserving and promoting tribal culture.

Simultaneously, a provision has been made to provide grants of Rs. 10,000 per cultural group to purchase cultural musical instruments for the state’s tribal cultural troupes. Over the past two years, 1,180 cultural groups have benefited from this scheme. Similarly, under the Tribal Culture Preservation and Development Scheme, Rs. 5 lakh has been allocated for the construction and repair of tribal worship and reverence sites (Devgudis) in tribal-dominated areas. In the last two years, 800 Devgudis were approved with Rs. 15.975 crore allocated.

The Chief Minister’s Tribal Respect Fund Scheme was launched to preserve tribal festivals, culture, and traditions and to pass these festivals and celebrations in their original form to the next generation. Documentation of cultural traditions has also begun. Each gram panchayat is provided Rs. 10,000 for this purpose. In the past two years, 11,266 gram panchayats have been assisted with Rs. 11.2666 crore.

This year, on 20 November, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dharti Aba Birsa Munda, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu visited Ambikapur and called upon the tribal society to remember the heroic tales of tribal leaders and follow their path. This is a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh.

It is notable that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aba Birsa Munda on 15 November in Jamui, Bihar, called for honoring and preserving the contributions of tribal leaders and freedom fighters with respect. Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had earlier established a separate ministry for the welfare of the tribal community, giving their development a new direction.

Prime Minister Shri Modi has launched numerous schemes for the upliftment of tribal communities. Under the PM Janman Plan, Rs. 24,000 crore has been allocated, and for the Dharti Aba Tribal Village Excellence Campaign, Rs. 80,000 crore has been budgeted, rapidly improving basic facilities and welfare in tribal areas.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, announced the Chief Minister’s Respect Fund for Baiga, Guniya, and Sirha communities of Chhattisgarh, providing Rs. 5,000 per year as financial assistance. He also initiated the Akhara Construction Development Scheme for religious and ceremonial purposes in tribal villages and installation of statues of tribal martyrs at designated sites. This has earned the trust of the tribal society and significantly contributed to preserving and promoting tribal culture and traditions.

Under CM Sai’s leadership, the state has also implemented schemes to honor the descendants of tribal dignitaries, tribal rebellion martyrs, and freedom fighters, taking exemplary steps to document tribal folk arts and oral traditions.

CM Sai’s Akhara Development announcement reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s concern for tribal development. In the vision of a developed India by 2047, the upliftment of every disadvantaged group, including tribal communities, is a priority. Through initiatives like the Dharti Aba Tribal Village Excellence Campaign and PM Janman Plan, the living standards of tribal communities are improving.

It is also notable that PM Modi, on the birth anniversary of Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, inaugurated several key projects worth Rs. 6,600 crore to expand basic facilities in remote tribal areas. Compared to a budget of Rs. 25,000 crore ten years ago, today Rs. 1,25,000 crore is being spent on tribal welfare.

PM Modi stated that historically, tribal society was not given the place it deserved. Tribal society elevated culture and tradition, worships the sun, air, trees, and mountains, and contributed to the nation’s heritage. We will collectively make tribal society’s values the foundation of India’s progress.