Respect, Self-Respect and Prosperity of the Tribal Community Are Our Government’s Commitment: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
We Are Building a Developed Chhattisgarh Inspired by the Struggles and Sacrifices of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Tribal Leaders: Chief Minister Sai
Major Decision in the Interest of Farmers: Eligible Farmers Selling Less Than 21 Quintals of Paddy Per Acre Will Also Receive the Full Input Assistance Amount
Paddy Procurement Begins Across the State Today; Total Number of Procurement Centres Rises to 3,100 with the Addition of 360 New Centres
State-Level Tribal Pride Day Celebrations Held on a Grand Scale at Dharamjaigarh; Thousands of Members of the Tribal Community Participate
Chief Minister Felicitates Padma Shri Awardee Tribal Personalities and Presents Awards to Winning Teams in Tribal Dance Competitions
Honorarium Distributed to Manjhi-Chalki Office-Bearers and Bonuses to Tendu Leaf Collectors; Chief Minister Visits Various Stalls
Bastar’s New Identity Is No Longer Violence, but Education, Sports, Culture and Development: Nitin Nabin
Raipur, November 2026 : Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life inspires us to remain dedicated to protecting our culture, self-respect, rights and motherland. Tribal Pride Day is not merely a celebration, but an important occasion to remember the struggles, sacrifices and contributions of great tribal heroes and to take their ideals to the younger generation. Rajya Sabha MP Nitin Nabin said this while addressing the state-level Tribal Pride Day celebrations as the chief guest at the historic Dussehra Ground in Dharamjaigarh, Raigarh district, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Addressing the programme virtually, Rajya Sabha MP Nitin Nabin extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Tribal Pride Day. He said that Chhattisgarh is a sacred land of brave heroes, martyrs and a rich tribal culture. Nabin said that he had a strong desire to attend this historic event in person, but could not be present due to adverse weather conditions.
Nabin specially congratulated Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for organising the grand event. He said that under the Chief Minister’s leadership, the glorious heritage, culture and traditions of the tribal community were receiving due recognition. Chief Minister Sai was continuously working to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state with a spirit of service, dedication and public welfare. This historic programme, organised under his leadership, had created an atmosphere of pride and self-respect throughout Chhattisgarh.
He paid respectful tributes to great tribal freedom fighters of the country, including Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Veer Gundadhur, Shaheed Gend Singh, Tilka Manjhi, Budhu Bhagat, Tantya Bhil and Laxman Nayak. Nabin said that the tribal community had always been a strong guardian of India’s culture, civilisation, self-respect and national unity. The tribal tradition of living in harmony with nature was an inspiration for all humanity today.
Appreciating the rich cultural heritage of all tribal communities in Chhattisgarh, including the Gond, Oraon, Kanwar, Baiga, Kamar, Halba, Muria and Maria communities, he said that their folk arts, folk dances, festivals and traditions were distinctive features of Chhattisgarh’s identity. Events such as Bastar Pandum were giving tribal culture a new identity across the country and the world.
Nabin said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accorded a prominent place to the respect, empowerment and development of tribal communities among the country’s national priorities. The historic decision to celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Tribal Pride Day was an important step in this direction. The fact that President Droupadi Murmu, a daughter of the tribal community, occupies the country’s highest constitutional office was a matter of pride for the entire community.
He said that through the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the PM-JANMAN scheme, which has an allocation of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, housing, roads, electricity, drinking water, education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities were being expanded in tribal-dominated villages.
Nitin Nabin said that Prime Minister Modi had not only extended the benefits of development schemes to tribal communities but had also provided them with opportunities for leadership. The leadership of Vishnu Deo Sai as Chief Minister in Chhattisgarh and Mohan Charan Majhi as Chief Minister in Odisha were important examples of this.
Nabin appreciated the positive transformation taking place in Bastar and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the firm resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the efforts of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the campaign against Naxalism had achieved decisive successes. He congratulated Chief Minister Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, the Chhattisgarh government and the brave security forces for these achievements.
He paid tribute to security personnel who had been martyred in Naxalite violence and expressed his condolences to their affected families. Nabin said that Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma had introduced him to families affected by Naxalite violence. Seeing their suffering, tears and struggles had given him a deep understanding of the difficulties involved in this campaign. The fight against Naxalism was not merely about ending violence, but about bringing back dignity, security and peace to the lives of thousands of families, he said.
Nabin said that areas of Bastar where the sound of gunfire was once heard were now witnessing the development of sports grounds. Children and young people were giving new wings to their dreams through education, sports and skills. The Chhattisgarh government had undertaken the important task of replacing guns in the hands of Bastar’s youth with sports equipment and violence with new hopes.
He said that when sports grounds replace guns, education replaces violence and trust replaces fear, nothing can stop the development of that region. Today, the youth of Bastar were becoming symbols of this positive transformation.
Nabin said that the participation of more than 1.5 lakh people in the Bastar Olympics in 2024 had given new recognition to the talent and energy of Bastar’s youth. Similarly, during the academic session 2025-26, 408 students from the state’s Eklavya Model Residential Schools cleared NEET, while around 346 students qualified in prestigious competitive examinations such as JEE Main. The 75 Eklavya Model Residential Schools operating in the state were playing an important role in providing quality education to tribal children.
Nabin expressed confidence that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the tribal community of Chhattisgarh would reach new heights of development and prosperity.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Sacrifice Symbolises Tribal Identity and Self-Respect: Chief Minister Sai
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that respecting the tribal community, preserving its glorious culture and traditions, and ensuring that development reaches every tribal family were commitments of the government. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chhattisgarh government was working with complete commitment towards the all-round development, economic empowerment and bright future of tribal communities. Fulfilling the dream of a self-respecting, empowered and prosperous society envisioned by great tribal leaders, including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, would be the true tribute to them.
Chief Minister Sai formally inaugurated the programme by garlanding the portraits of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Bharat Mata and Chhattisgarh Mahatari and lighting the ceremonial lamp. On the occasion, he encouraged members of the tribal community by wearing their traditional attire and joining them with bows and arrows and traditional musical instruments.
During the programme, Chief Minister Sai, the dignitaries on the dais and the audience listened to the virtual address delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Tribal Pride Day. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the three crore people of the state, the Chief Minister said that his leadership had given a new direction to the respect, empowerment and development of tribal communities.
Chief Minister Sai felicitated Padma Shri awardees Budhri Tati, Jageshwar Yadav and Pandi Ram Mandavi for their remarkable contributions to preserving the glorious traditions, art and culture of the tribal community. He also presented awards to the winning teams in tribal dance competitions and encouraged them.
The Chief Minister visited various stalls set up at the programme venue and gathered information about the tribal art, culture, traditional products and activities on display. He honoured traditional tribal community leaders and distributed honorarium to office-bearers associated with the Manjhi-Chalki system, as well as bonus amounts to tendu leaf collectors. Beneficiaries of various public welfare schemes of the government were also honoured.
Paying respectful tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that his life was a great saga of extraordinary courage, struggle, sacrifice and martyrdom. At a very young age, he organised the tribal community against the injustice, atrocities and exploitation of British rule and led a historic movement. His sacrifice at the age of just 25 symbolised the great struggle to protect tribal identity, culture and self-respect.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the historic decision to observe November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as Tribal Pride Day, thereby giving national recognition to the country’s great tribal heroes and their contribution to the freedom struggle. In Chhattisgarh, grand Tribal Pride Day celebrations were organised in Jashpur in 2024 and in Surguja in 2025. President Droupadi Murmu had graced the celebrations held in Surguja. Continuing this tradition, the third grand celebration was organised this year at Dharamjaigarh.
Chief Minister Sai said that Chhattisgarh was a land of brave heroes and martyrs. Fourteen great tribal leaders from the state had fought against British rule and made unforgettable contributions to the freedom movement. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh of Sonakhan challenged an unjust system to ensure that food grains reached poor people suffering from famine and starvation, and made the supreme sacrifice for his motherland and public service. Similarly, Veer Gundadhur, Shaheed Gend Singh and several other tribal leaders raised the banner of revolt against British rule.
The Chief Minister urged the people present to visit the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Museum established in Nava Raipur. He said that the museum, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, vividly portrays the tribal freedom fighters of Chhattisgarh, their historic struggles and glorious heritage. The museum is an important centre for introducing the younger generation to the sacrifices and contributions of their great ancestors.
New Direction to Tribal Development Under Prime Minister’s Leadership; Facilities Reaching 6,691 Villages
Chief Minister Sai said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was continuously working with dedication for the welfare, respect and empowerment of tribal communities. Under his leadership, essential facilities such as education, healthcare, roads, electricity, drinking water and livelihood opportunities were being expanded in 6,691 villages of Chhattisgarh through the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. Important work was also being undertaken through the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) for the all-round development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modi had not only made tribal communities beneficiaries of development schemes but had also given them an important place in the leadership of the country and states. Today, President Droupadi Murmu, a daughter of the tribal community, occupies the country’s highest constitutional office. In Chhattisgarh and Odisha too, workers from ordinary families belonging to tribal communities had been given the opportunity to lead their respective states as Chief Ministers. This was a matter of pride and honour for the entire tribal community.
Chief Minister Sai said that the state government was continuously working to fulfil Prime Minister Modi’s guarantees. At the first Cabinet meeting after the formation of the government, a decision was taken to arrange the state’s share for 18 lakh Pradhan Mantri Awas houses. Today, approximately 1,600 Pradhan Mantri Awas houses are being constructed every day in the state. He said that the tribal community was receiving approximately 40 per cent of the benefits of the state government’s public welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister said that under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, approximately 68 lakh eligible women in the state were being provided financial assistance of Rs 1,000 every month. Through 33 instalments of the scheme, approximately Rs 21,350 crore had so far been transferred to the bank accounts of women. Around 30 per cent of the scheme’s beneficiaries belonged to tribal communities. Thus, lakhs of tribal mothers and sisters were becoming economically empowered through the scheme.
Chief Minister Sai said that the collection remuneration for tendu leaf collectors had been increased to Rs 5,500 per standard bag in their interest. The Charan Paduka Yojana had also been restarted. Work was being undertaken for the development of Akhra and Devgudi sites to preserve the cultural heritage of tribal communities. An allocation of Rs 25 lakh had been provided for each approved Akhra development work.
New Dawn of Peace and Trust in Bastar; Education and Healthcare Facilities Being Expanded
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the campaign against Naxalism had achieved significant success. The extraordinary courage of the security forces and coordinated efforts of the Central and State governments had created a new environment of peace, security and development in remote areas of Bastar.
The Chief Minister said that several areas of Bastar had remained affected by Naxalite violence for four to five decades. Development was now being accelerated in these areas through programmes such as Niyad Nellanar and Bastar Munne. Security camps were being developed as ‘Seva Deras’, where citizens were being connected with government schemes, while women and young people were being provided opportunities for skill development and self-employment.
He said that work was underway towards establishing new medical colleges in Manendragarh and Geedam to expand healthcare and education facilities in tribal regions. Education cities were being developed in remote areas such as Jagargunda and Orchha. Around 35 lakh people had undergone health check-ups under the Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan. The Chief Minister Gramin Bus Service had also been launched to improve transportation facilities in remote villages.
The Chief Minister said that the transformation taking place in Bastar was not limited to the development of roads, electricity and other infrastructure, but was also bringing trust, security and new opportunities into people's lives. He also appealed to the tribal community to preserve its cultural identity, traditions and social unity, and to remain alert regarding religious conversions.
Major Decision in the Interest of Farmers; Full Input Assistance Even for Selling Less Paddy
Informing the gathering about an important decision taken by the state government in the interest of farmers, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that eligible farmers selling less than the prescribed maximum of 21 quintals of paddy per acre would now also receive the full input assistance amount. Under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, eligible farmers would receive input assistance of Rs 13,839 per acre. This would particularly benefit small, marginal and tribal farmers in areas with low agricultural productivity.
The Chief Minister said that paddy procurement for the Kharif Marketing Year 2026-27 had commenced across the state from November 15. For the convenience of farmers, the state government had decided to open 360 new paddy procurement centres. With this addition, the total number of paddy procurement centres in the state had increased to 3,100.
He said that the new procurement centres would save farmers from having to travel long distances to sell their produce and would provide relief from unnecessary crowds and long queues at the centres. The state government was committed to ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce, providing relief from agricultural costs and making farming profitable. The prosperity of farmers was the foundation of Chhattisgarh’s prosperity.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister and District In-charge Minister Ramvichar Netam, Industries Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, Lok Sabha MP Radheshyam Rathia, Surguja MP Chintamani Maharaj, Rajya Sabha MPs Devendra Pratap Singh and Lakshmi Verma, Kanker MP Bhojraj Nag, Padma Shri awardees Budhri Tati, Jageshwar Yadav and Pandi Ram Mandavi, along with other public representatives, dignitaries and prominent members of the tribal community, were present at the programme.
