A 209-MEMBER delegation from Chhattisgarh, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will pay a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on July 30. President of India Droupadi Murmu will host a special banquet in honour of the winners of Bastar Pandum-2026, Pargana Manjhis, Manjhis, Chalkis, and Padma Shri awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on July 30. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Culture Minister Rajesh Agarwal, winners of ‘Bastar Pandum-2026’, representatives of traditional tribal leadership systems, Padma Shri awardees, and public representatives will participate in the delegation. The delegation will visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan and visit key national landmarks in New Delhi. This occasion will serve as a historic symbol of the honour being accorded to the tribal culture of Bastar, its traditional leadership system, and the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh at the nation’s highest constitutional forum. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that his Government is continuously working to preserve and promote the glorious heritage of the tribal community, as well as to secure national and international recognition for it. The presence of artists and traditional public representatives from Bastar at Rashtrapati Bhavan is a matter of pride for the entire State. This honour symbolises the nation’s respect for Bastar’s culture, traditions, and tribal society.

 

Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal stated that Bastar Pandum-2026 has demonstrated that Chhattisgarh’s tribal culture and folk traditions possess the potential to carve out a distinct identity not only at the national level but also on the global stage. He stated that the festival has become a powerful campaign for the preservation of tribal knowledge traditions, folk life, traditional leadership systems, and cultural identity. Honoring the winning participants of ‘Bastar Pandum’ and tribal representatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan is a tribute to the cultural pride of the entire State of Chhattisgarh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the guidance of Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, the Culture Department is making continuous efforts for the preservation and promotion of tribal heritage. It is a result of these very efforts that ‘Bastar Pandum’ has established a distinct identity - not just within Chhattisgarh, but as one of the country’s most significant tribal cultural events. The festival has played a pivotal role in providing a platform for folk arts, garnering recognition for artists, documenting tribal knowledge traditions, and connecting the new generation with their cultural roots.