A Confluence of Folk Culture, Tribal Pride and National Consciousness: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai celebrates Aadi Lokotsav 2025 in Goa, praising the festival as a vibrant symbol of India's folk culture. He highlights the importance of preserving tribal histories, mentions the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Digital Museum in Nava Raipur, and notes ongoing support for tribal development under national schemes.

Chief MinisterVishnu Deo Sai on Friday attended the ‘Aadi Lokotsav’ Festival–2025 organised at model village Amon, Poinguinim in Goa. Addressing the Lokotsav on the occasion, he extended congratulations and best wishes to all participants. Goa’s Minister for Art and Culture Dr Ramesh Tawadkar was present at the programme.

Praising the organisation of the ‘Aadi Lokotsav’, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the festival is a vibrant celebration of India’s ancient culture and a symbol of the nation’s folk-cultural consciousness.

He said that India is a country of villages and villages are its soul. The culture of villages is the culture of the nation, and it is extremely important to keep it alive through folk songs, folk dances, traditional musical instruments and age-old traditions.

Chief Minister Sai said that the Goa government has been working for the last 25 years to keep this cultural consciousness alive, which is commendable. He expressed confidence that in the coming years, the Aadi Lokotsav will be organised on an even grander and more expansive scale.

Paying homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Chief MinisterVishnu Deo Sai said that tribal history has been immensely glorious. Bhagwan Birsa Munda challenged the British at the young age of just 25 and created history with his indomitable courage. He said there are many great personalities from the tribal community who did not receive their due place in the country’s history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to ensure respect and recognition for tribal freedom fighters across the country.

Recalling the sacrifice of Rani Durgavati, Chief MinisterSai said she was a great warrior woman of the tribal community. Prime Minister Shri Modi has given permanent recognition to her legacy by getting a grand museum constructed in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, which stands as an enduring symbol of her valour and sacrifice.

Chief MinisterSai, in his address, especially recalled the contribution of tribal freedom fighters from Chhattisgarh. He said that nearly 32 per cent of Chhattisgarh’s population comprises tribal communities, and 14 tribal heroes from the state laid down their lives for the country’s freedom. He said that martyrs like Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Shaheed Veer Gundadhur and Shaheed Gend Singh fought against the British and sacrificed their lives for India’s independence. Martyr Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh was hanged by the British at Jai Stambh Chowk in the state capital Raipur.

Chief MinisterSai said that with the objective of preserving the memory of these tribal heroes and conveying their stories of sacrifice to the younger generation, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Digital Museum has been constructed in Nava Raipur. This is the country’s first digital museum, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Chhattisgarh Foundation Day. The Chief Minister also invited everyone present at the Aadi Lokotsav to visit Chhattisgarh and see this digital museum.

Chief MinisterSai said that what could be a greater matter of pride for the tribal community than the fact that today, a daughter of the tribal society adorns the country’s highest constitutional office as the Hon’ble President. He said that his becoming the Chief Minister of a state like Chhattisgarh is also a reflection of Prime Minister Shri Modi’s inclusive vision.

Chief MinisterVishnu Deo Sai referred to initiatives such as the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, stating that the Central Government is committed to the holistic development of the tribal community.

Chief Minister Sai recalled the contributions of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that during his tenure, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was established for the first time in the country. Through this ministry, large-scale budgets and schemes are now being implemented for the development of over 12 crore tribal citizens. He said that he had the opportunity to work as a Cabinet Minister alongside Prime Minister Shri Modi during his first term, which he considers his privilege.

Chief MinisterSai said that Chhattisgarh was earlier identified as a Naxal-affected state, but today that image is rapidly changing. He said that Naxalism has been effectively weakened and the state has now entered a new phase of peace, development and investment. Areas that earlier did not attract investment are now witnessing industrial growth. Under the new industrial policy, Chhattisgarh has so far received investment proposals worth over Rs 8 lakh crore, which are setting a new direction for the state’s economic future.