CM Sai Attends Maraka Pandum in Kanker
Raipur, April 7
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today attended the closing ceremony of the Maraka Pandum (Chaitra Mahaparv) organized by the Gondwana community in the village of Bhirawahi, Kanker. He offered prayers to the community’s deities, Boodhadev and Anga Dev, and presented fruits such as tendu, chaar, chironji, mahua, and mango, wishing for the well-being of the people of the state.
While addressing the closing ceremony of the Maraka Pandum at the Gondwana Bhawan premises in Bhirawahi, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the Gondwana community has a rich and glorious history. He mentioned that the tradition of offering new fruits and crops to the deities during the Maraka Pandum festival is an important part of their culture. He further emphasized the need to promote and advance the community’s culture and traditions. The Chief Minister urged the community to focus on education, stressing the importance of bringing children into the fold of learning and increasing awareness.
Chief Minister Shri Sai further mentioned that Chhattisgarh has seen rapid development in the past 25 years. He highlighted the swift development of the Special Backward Tribes under the PM Janman Scheme, and the opportunities provided to talented children through residential schools. High institutions like IIM, IIT, and IIIT have also been established in Chhattisgarh.
Shri Sai stated that with the cooperation of the central government, the state government is working to completely eradicate Naxalism from Bastar. He assured that the commitment made by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah to eliminate Naxalism within a year will certainly be fulfilled. He informed that the “Niyad Nellanara” scheme is being expanded to ensure that more villagers in Naxal-affected areas can benefit from government schemes.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced various development and construction works worth ₹80.48 lakh for the Gondwana community at the request of its representatives. This includes ₹45 lakh for the renovation of the Gondwana Social Building, ₹23.47 lakh for the construction of a boundary wall, and ₹12.01 lakh for the beautification of the Devgudi and other works.
The closing ceremony was also addressed by Kanker MLA Shri Asharam Netam, who expressed pride in the fact that the Chief Minister, a well-wisher of the tribal community, is leading the entire state. He further stated that the tribal community should never forget their rich culture, traditions, and heritage, as they form the root and true identity of the community.
During the program, Shri Sumer Singh Nag, the regional president of the Bastar Gondwana community, briefed the Chief Minister about the community’s social activities. The event was also attended by Kanker Lok Sabha MP Shri Bhojraj Nag, Antagarh MLA Shri Vikram Usendi, Bhanupratappur MLA Mrs. Savitri Mandavi, Kanker Municipal Council President Shri Arun Kaushik, District Panchayat President Mrs. Kiran Nareti, former MP Shri Mohan Mandavi, former MLA Shri Shishupal Sori, Mrs. Sumitra Markole, Collector Shri Nilesh Kumar Mahadev Kheersagar, SSP Shri Indira Kalyan Elesela, and other distinguished guests.