New Delhi: A historic cultural moment unfolded at Rashtrapati Bhavan as a 209-member delegation from Bastar, led by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, showcased the region’s rich tribal traditions, folk culture, traditional attire and heritage.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a special lunch for the winners of Bastar Pandum 2026, traditional tribal leaders, Padma Shri awardees, artists, public representatives and other members of the delegation. In a gesture of warmth, the President personally served food to the guests.
During the interaction, President Murmu expressed her desire to attend Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum in the future and said that the unique traditions of Bastar Dussehra deeply touch her heart.
The delegation also presented the President with a 300-year-old Bastar cultural symbol, ‘Jhitku-Mitki’, presented as a representation of the region’s tribal heritage, love, sacrifice and folk faith.
President Murmu Expresses Desire to Attend Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum
During her interaction with the delegation, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her wish to visit Bastar and participate in the region’s major cultural celebrations.
At the request of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the President said she would like to attend Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum in the future.
She said:
- Bastar Dussehra holds a special place in her heart.
- She has a deep connection with the traditions associated with the festival.
- The wooden idol of Lord Jagannath and the unique customs of Bastar Dussehra are particularly significant.
- She also recalled her personal connection with the Manjhi traditional leadership system, saying that Manjhi was part of her family and that her father was also a Manjhi.
The President’s remarks highlighted her close association with tribal society and its cultural traditions.
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President Praises Bastar Pandum and Tribal Heritage
President Murmu described Bastar Pandum as a vibrant celebration of Chhattisgarh’s rich tribal traditions, folk arts and cultural heritage.
She said the festival has played an important role in presenting Bastar’s true cultural identity at the national and international levels.
According to the President, such cultural events have:
- Reconnected young people with their traditional customs and heritage.
- Promoted tribal art and folk traditions.
- Created new opportunities for tourism.
- Supported local employment.
- Encouraged young tribal artists and artisans.
She expressed confidence that Bastar’s artists, craftspeople and youth would continue to preserve their cultural identity while making a meaningful contribution to nation-building.
Bastar Moving Towards Peace, Development and Prosperity
President Droupadi Murmu said Bastar is moving towards a new phase of peace, development and prosperity through government initiatives and local community participation.
She appreciated the expansion of basic infrastructure and development opportunities in the region, particularly in areas such as:
- Education.
- Roads.
- Electricity.
- Drinking water.
- Other basic public facilities.
The President said the progress being made in Bastar is a matter of happiness and pride for the entire country.
She also praised the role of Manjhi and Chalki, describing them as important links between society and administration. Their role, she said, is crucial in preserving Bastar’s traditional values and cultural heritage.
Amit Shah Praises Bastar’s Tribal Representation at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah also praised the cultural representation of Bastar at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Shah said he had visited Rashtrapati Bhavan several times but was particularly pleased to see such a large delegation representing Bastar’s traditional tribal culture and attire at the country’s highest constitutional institution.
The visit marked an important moment in showcasing Bastar’s indigenous traditions and cultural identity on a national platform.
209-Member Bastar Delegation Visits Rashtrapati Bhavan
The delegation led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai comprised 209 members representing different sections of Bastar’s cultural and social landscape.
The delegation included:
- Home Minister Vijay Sharma.
- Culture and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal.
- Winners of Bastar Pandum 2026.
- Representatives of the traditional tribal leadership system.
- Padma Shri awardees.
- Public representatives.
- Senior government officials.
- Artists and cultural representatives.
President Murmu held an informal and cordial interaction with members of the delegation and learned about Bastar’s tribal culture, folk arts, traditional social structures and experiences associated with Bastar Pandum.
She also encouraged artists and traditional tribal representatives and praised their efforts to preserve the region’s cultural heritage.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Calls Visit a Moment of Pride for Bastar
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the interaction between President Murmu and the Bastar delegation as an extremely proud and honourable occasion for Chhattisgarh, particularly the Bastar region.
He said the visit provided a historic opportunity to present Bastar’s rich tribal culture, traditions and way of life before the President.
According to the Chief Minister, Bastar is moving forward with a new identity based on:
- Peace.
- Development.
- Cultural revival.
- Preservation of tribal traditions.
Sai said events such as Bastar Pandum have given Bastar’s tribal culture a new level of recognition at the national level.
He also said President Murmu’s personal connection with tribal society and culture, along with her experience and guidance, would provide new direction to efforts aimed at preserving and promoting Bastar’s cultural heritage.
The Chief Minister invited President Murmu to visit Bastar and participate in its cultural celebrations. He expressed confidence that her visit would inspire the region’s development journey and give Bastar’s rich cultural traditions wider national recognition.
‘Jhitku-Mitki’ Cultural Artwork Presented to President Murmu
One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of a ‘Jhitku-Mitki’ artwork to President Droupadi Murmu by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The artwork represents Bastar’s rich tribal culture, love, devotion, sacrifice and folk beliefs.
The Jhitku-Mitki story is associated with a nearly 300-year-old legendary love story from Bastar.
According to local folklore, Jhitku and Mitki demonstrated extraordinary love and devotion during a period of severe famine. Over time, their story gained a sacred status, and they came to be revered as divine figures.
Today, Jhitku is worshipped in Bastar as ‘Khodiya Raja’, while Mitki is revered as ‘Gappa Dei’.
The artwork is regarded as a symbol of:
- Bastar’s tribal heritage.
- Love and devotion.
- Sacrifice.
- Folk faith.
- Social harmony.
The presentation of the artwork at Rashtrapati Bhavan brought a centuries-old cultural tradition of Bastar to the country’s highest constitutional institution.
Delegation Tours Rashtrapati Bhavan
During their visit, members of the Bastar delegation also toured Rashtrapati Bhavan and learned about important aspects of India’s democratic and constitutional heritage.
Senior officials accompanying the delegation included Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Rahul Bhagat, Secretary; Rajat Bansal, Special Secretary and Commissioner, Public Relations; Dr. S. Bharathi Dasan, Secretary, Culture Department; Doman Singh, Commissioner, Bastar Division; and Sanjay Kannauje, Director, Culture and Official Language, among others.
The historic visit provided a national platform for Bastar’s tribal communities, artists, traditional leaders and cultural representatives to showcase the region’s unique heritage and traditions.
