Visakhapatnam, AP: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to celebrate a two-day PESA Mahotsav: Utsav Lok Sanskriti Ka on 23rd and 24th December 2025 in Visakhapatnam. The festival aims to promote the Fifth Schedule Areas of India, with a special focus on Jharkhand, among ten states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
The Mahotsav commemorates the enactment of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), which extends provisions of Part IX of the Indian Constitution to Scheduled Areas with certain modifications. PESA Day is observed on 24th December each year to mark the anniversary of the Act.
Inauguration and Key Highlights
The Mahotsav will be inaugurated by Mr. Konidala Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Several important national initiatives will be launched during the event:
- PESA Portal: For dissemination of information and monitoring of PESA implementation.
- PESA Indicators: To assess the status of PESA implementation across states.
- Training Modules in Tribal Languages: To strengthen grassroots awareness and capacity-building.
E-book on Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh: Documenting traditional knowledge, culture, and heritage.
Special Gram Sabhas and Community Participation
As part of the celebrations, special Gram Sabhas will be organized in PESA Gram Panchayats of Andhra Pradesh, featuring elected representatives from the ten participating states. The Gram Sabhas will focus on ten identified PESA themes, emphasizing community participation, protection of natural resources, preservation of customary practices, livelihoods, and social justice.
Additionally, Gram Sabhas across all ten PESA states will be held on 24th December 2025 to reinforce these objectives at the local level.
Cultural and Sporting Activities
The Mahotsav will feature a vibrant array of sports and cultural activities showcasing India’s tribal heritage. The primary venue is the Visakhapatnam Port Authority Campus, with activities spread across Ramakrishna Beach, Indoor Stadium, Cricket Stadium, and Kalavani Auditorium.
This celebration highlights the significance of PESA in strengthening self-governance, tribal traditions, and rural development across India’s Scheduled Areas.
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