CM Vishnu Dev Sai Plays Mandar, Joins Karma Dance in Raigarh

In a celebration of indigenous heritage, environmental stewardship, and social unity, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai emphasized that the history of tribal society represents a legacy of bravery, self-respect, and deep environmental reverence. Addressing a gathering at the Karma Puja festival organized by the Oraon Samaj Vikas Samiti (Chhattisgarh-Odisha Himgiri region) at Sarasmal village in the Tamnar block of Raigarh district, the Chief Minister underscored that the tribal ethos of protecting Jal, Jungle, and Jameen (water, forest, and land) serves as a timeless ecological model for the entire world. The state's administrative head joined community members on the ground, performing ceremonial worship before Lord Karma Dev, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati to seek prosperity and health for the state's citizens.Cultural Resonance: Chief Minister Takes Up the Mandar and Joins the Karma DanceThe festive atmosphere at Sarasmal reached its peak when Chief Minister Sai stepped directly into the dancing circle alongside community members:Spontaneous Community Participation: Responding warmly to the invitation of performing cultural troupes, the Chief Minister picked up the traditional Mandar drum and matched steps with local men and women to indigenous folk rhythms.Warm Community Reception: Leadership and representatives of the Oraon community greeted the Chief Minister with a ceremonial Gajmala, celebrating his participation as a fellow son of the tribal community leading the state.Living Heritage on Display: Dressed in customary attire, men and women performed group Karma dances accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the Mandar, Mridang, and Dhol, marking gratitude for the new harvest and celebrating harmony with the natural ecosystem.Honoring Tribal Freedom Icons: From Birsa Munda to Veer Narayan SinghThe Chief Minister reflected on the vital role played by indigenous leaders in shaping the nation's historical identity and struggle for independence:Priceless Legacy of Struggle: Chief Minister Sai paid tribute to iconic figures including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Martyr Veer Narayan Singh, and Gundadhur, noting that their sacrifices in defense of their motherland and indigenous rights must be passed on to future generations.Institutional Empowerment Since Vajpayee Era: He noted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the groundwork for institutional advancement by establishing a dedicated Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, a vision expanded under Prime Minister Narendra Modi through initiatives in healthcare, road infrastructure, housing, and drinking water.Constitutional Representation and Pride: Highlighting the historic elevation of President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Minister termed it a moment of collective pride that a daughter of the tribal community occupies the country's highest constitutional office, while Chhattisgarh is led by an indigenous Chief Minister.Preserving Roots at Naya Raipur Tribal Museum: He pointed to the dedicated Tribal Museum in Naya Raipur as an institutional landmark designed to preserve ancestral traditions, languages, and artifacts for researchers and modern youth alike.Educational Leap: Nalanda Campus Expansion, Prayas Schools, and Expanded Delhi HostelsAddressing youth directly, Chief Minister Sai characterized modern education as the ultimate catalyst for socio-economic mobility:Expanding Infrastructure for Competitive Exams: The state government continues to scale up high-performing Prayas residential schools and modern learning hubs such as the Nalanda campus to equip students with top-tier resources for national competitive tests.Enhanced Accommodation in the National Capital: To support tribal candidates pursuing higher education and civil services preparation in New Delhi, the state has expanded its dedicated hostel facility to 200 seats.Targeting Diverse Professional Arenas: He urged young men and women to aim for premier national institutes and enter leadership roles across administration, engineering, healthcare, information technology, and entrepreneurship.Holistic Employment Ecosystem: The state's strategy integrates scheduled government recruitment drives, localized industrial job fairs, and self-employment funding to retain local talent within burgeoning state industries.Grassroots Welfare Reach: Saturation Through PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aba AbhiyanThe Chief Minister stressed that government welfare schemes are engineered to leave no remote household behind:Targeted Last-Mile Schemes: Central and state initiatives—notably the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)—are systematically delivering pucca housing, all-weather roads, piped drinking water, and solar electrification to vulnerable tribal groups.Perspectives from Dignitaries: Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh urged the younger generation to blend cultural pride with academic excellence, while Pant Ram Bhagat, President of the Oraon Samaj Vikas Samiti, detailed the ancestral customs, linguistic heritage, and ecological roots of the Oraon clans.