“Keeping Culture and Tradition Alive Is Not Just Our Responsibility, but a Moral Duty as Well” – CM Sai
Raipur, 04 September
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai recently attended the Karma Festival 2025, a nature-centric celebration held on Bhado Ekadashi Vrat, organized by the Youth Wing of Chhattisgarh Adivasi Kanwar Samaj, Raipur at the CM residence, Nava Raipur. The Chief Minister commenced the event by performing traditional rituals and worship.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sai said, “Our culture is a priceless legacy from our ancestors. Keeping this culture and tradition alive is not only our responsibility but also a moral duty.”
He added that such festivals and traditions provide opportunities for community bonding and help cultivate love, harmony, and mutual respect in society.
The CM expressed joy over the Kanwar community youth organizing the Karma Festival in the capital city, Raipur. He noted that various forms of the Karma festival are celebrated in tribal culture. The Ekadashi Karma being observed is a festival dedicated to unmarried girls, who pray for a good life partner and happy family life by worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
He elaborated that another form, Dussehra Karma, is celebrated when a married daughter visits her parental home for the first time post-marriage, observing a fast on Vijayadashami. Similarly, in Jiyut Putrika Karma, mothers undertake a tough fast—going without food and water for 24 hours—praying for the long life of their children.
The CM also highlighted the significant role of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle. Specifically, in Chhattisgarh, 12 tribal revolts took place against British colonial rule.
He mentioned that the Tribal Museum in Nava Raipur is being developed to showcase tribal heroes as models of inspiration, and that the museum will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Chhattisgarh’s statehood.
CM Sai emphasized that his government has always focused on empowering tribal communities. He credited former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for creating a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs nearly 40 years after independence, which played a crucial role in tribal development.
Following in his footsteps, PM Narendra Modi is now running initiatives like the “Viksit Bharat Janjatiya Gram Utkars Abhiyan” and “PM Janman Yojana” for the holistic development of tribal communities, ensuring 100% benefit delivery.
He also praised former CM Dr. Raman Singh for accelerating development by establishing the Bastar, Sarguja, and Central Region Authorities during his 15-year tenure.
The CM shared that a new industrial policy has been implemented with special incentives for Bastar and Sarguja, aiming to connect tribal youth with self-employment and make them economically self-reliant. The government is also ensuring access to quality education by establishing national and international-level institutions within the state.
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said, “Our tribal culture is rich and proud. Karma Festival is a reflection of that legacy. Under CM Sai’s leadership, various initiatives like the ‘Bastar Pandum Olympics’ have gained national attention.” He extended greetings to all Chhattisgarh citizens on the occasion of Bhado Ekadashi Karma Festival.
Kaushilya Sai, Patron of the All India Kanwar Samaj Vikas Samiti, Pamshala, Jashpur, remarked that “Tribal society and nature are inseparable. For tribals, nature is sacred, and Karma Festival celebrates this bond.”
She emphasized that preserving and promoting this glorious culture is essential, and that women must take active roles in this effort. She also extended her best wishes for the festival.