Few regions in India have endured as much hardship as Bastar, yet today, few also radiate such immense potential. For decades, this vibrant tribal heartland in Chhattisgarh was trapped in a cycle of violence and profound isolation. Now, the narrative is shifting dramatically. Farmers are reconnecting with markets, children attend schools without fear, and families are finally accessing the essential welfare benefits that once seemed like an unattainable dream.
This profound change is the result of concerted efforts. The Central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has provided unwavering support to eradicate Maoist violence. This moment is particularly significant as the Prime Minister recently celebrated his 75th birthday, and Chhattisgarh prepares to mark 25 years of statehood in November. These milestones underscore that Bastar’s journey of developmental revival is a triumph for both the state and the nation.
The return of peace was the indispensable first step towards progress. Roads that were once synonymous with fear now serve as arteries for buses transporting goods and people to bustling markets. Police outposts, previously perceived as symbols of authority, are evolving into community hubs, hosting health camps, sports events, and cultural programs. It’s no longer uncommon to see children playing football alongside security personnel, or villagers gathering for ration distribution. These genuine human connections have successfully dismantled old barriers of mistrust and significantly weakened the grip of Maoist influence.
However, peace is far more than just the absence of conflict; it is the active presence of opportunity. For the local populace, true change is measured by whether their children can pursue an education, whether mothers receive vital medical and nutritional care, and whether their hard work is met with dignity. In Bastar, these fundamental aspirations are finally finding their answers.
For years, the severe lack of schools stifled tribal children’s dreams, limiting their imagination to mere survival. That is changing. Anganwadi centers are once again fully operational, providing crucial food and care. Girls are enrolling in Eklavya Model Schools and residential hostels, while scholarships are opening doors to higher education. Skill training programs in ITIs and local centers across the region are equipping young men and women for meaningful and dignified employment. When I meet students in areas like Dantewada or Narayanpur within the Bastar region, their self-assurance speaks volumes, echoing more powerfully than any official report. Their dreams are no longer about leaving Bastar, but about actively shaping its future.
Women are truly at the heart of this revitalized Bastar. Self-help groups are thriving, ensuring fair prices for tendu leaves, tamarind, and other forest produce. Community ‘haats,’ or markets, are once again vibrant, creating direct links between local artisans and buyers. Small businesses in food processing, tailoring, and traditional crafts are flourishing with quiet determination. These activities are not merely economic; they are powerful acts of self-respect. A woman who earns from her skills not only provides for her family but also becomes a beacon of inspiration for her entire village.
Healthcare Access Reaches Remote Corners
Healthcare was previously one of the most critical gaps. Villagers often had to undertake arduous journeys, walking for days to reach the nearest hospital. Today, sub-health centers and mobile units are venturing deep into forested areas. Poshan Vatikas in Dantewada and Bijapur are actively promoting awareness about healthy diets, while telemedicine initiatives are connecting tribal families with doctors many miles away. I recall speaking with mothers in Bijapur who expressed profound relief that their children no longer miss vaccinations. For them, this isn’t just a service—it’s a tangible hope that their children will lead healthier lives than they ever did. Equally symbolic was the historic moment when, for the first time, the Indian Tricolour was proudly hoisted in numerous remote villages, and essential services like electricity and health centers finally reached areas that had never known them.
In Puvarti, a secluded village in Sukma once infamous as the birthplace of Maoist leader Hidma, a government hospital is now under construction. Remarkably, a medical team even provided care to Hidma’s elderly mother there, following the establishment of a security camp a year prior.
Tap Water Transforms Villages
The provision of clean water and enhanced connectivity has been another pivotal change. The Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully brought tap water to households even in the most remote areas, including Abujhmad. Solar-powered pumps are now operational in hamlets where electricity has only recently arrived. While road infrastructure is steadily improving, it’s digital access that has truly revolutionized the lives of the younger generation. A young girl in Narayanpur can now participate in online classes, her family can sell their produce in broader markets, and banking services are becoming accessible right at their doorstep. This overcoming of geographical barriers is perhaps the most compelling evidence that Bastar is shedding its isolation. Electricity is literally illuminating lives in places where darkness once symbolized pervasive fear. On January 26, 2025, Republic Day, Bijapur’s Chilkapalli village received electricity for the very first time. In March 2025, villages like Temenar and Pusukonta were connected, followed by Handawada in Abujhmad in April. With each new connection, the light of progress has steadily replaced the shadows of fear and insecurity.
Beyond statistics, every improvement represents a real human story. In Kondagaon, young entrepreneur Ragini Jaiswal successfully manages a nutrition unit, ensuring nourishing meals for women and children. In Narayanpur, tribal girls, professionally trained in tailoring, are now supplying uniforms to local schools. These are not isolated success stories but rather part of a much broader wave of self-reliance sweeping across the region. Bastar’s people are no longer passively awaiting external definitions of their future; they are actively shaping it from within. With growing confidence and stability, the region is also signalling its readiness for responsible economic investment that respects and complements its unique local strengths.
The vision of ‘Niyad Nellanar’ — ‘My own village’ in the local Gondi language — is steadily becoming a reality in Bastar. This initiative aims to ensure that no household is left behind in terms of access to food, education, livelihood, or dignity. As Chief Minister, I consider it my sacred duty to ensure that the State’s role is to empower and support, allowing the people themselves to passionately pursue their dreams. Our ambitious target of eradicating Maoist violence by March 2026 will not be achieved solely through security operations, but fundamentally by expanding opportunities and welfare for all. Through this comprehensive initiative, essential facilities like roads, schools, healthcare, and communication are now reaching the farthest corners of the region. In 327 villages within a five-kilometer radius of security camps, remarkable progress has been made: 81,090 Aadhaar cards and 49,239 Ayushman cards have been issued. Additionally, 5,885 families are benefiting from the Kisan Samman Nidhi, and 2,355 individuals have received support through the Ujjwala Yojana. More than 98,000 people are now accessing free food grains through ration cards. These villages have also seen the construction of 21 all-weather roads, the installation of 635 new mobile towers, the establishment of 18 new fair price ration shops, and nine new sub-health centers. The scope of this impactful scheme has now been successfully expanded to cover a 10-kilometer radius.
In a truly historic moment, the Indian Tricolour was proudly hoisted in 29 villages across Bijapur, Narayanpur, and Sukma—areas where the Maoist red flag once symbolized terror. Villages such as Kondapalli, Jidapalli, Wathewagu, Karregutta, Pidia, Pujarikanker, and Bhimaram in Bijapur; Garpa, Kachhapal, Bedmakotti, Kandulnar, and Raynar in Narayanpur; and Gomguda, Gollakunda, Nulkatong, and Uskawaya in Sukma witnessed the unfurling of the national flag for the very first time—a powerful milestone of national integration and immense pride.
Bastar, one of India’s oldest inhabited regions, boasts an incredibly rich tribal culture and civilization with a well-documented history. Yet, for several decades, Maoist violence, characterized by guns, explosives, and landmines, brought immense suffering, death, and destruction to its peace-loving people. We are now rapidly overcoming this violent chapter. Furthermore, we are deeply committed to revitalizing and preserving Bastar’s invaluable cultural heritage.
This current year holds exceptional significance. As Chhattisgarh celebrates its 25th anniversary, Bastar is also embarking on a promising new chapter. Its inspiring journey—from profound conflict to growing confidence, from deep-seated fear to rediscovered dignity—stands as irrefutable proof that democracy, when harmonized with peace and inclusive development, possesses the power to heal even the most profound scars. For our state, it signifies the lifting of a long-standing shadow. For the entire nation, it offers reassurance that one of its most vulnerable regions is steadily transforming into a pillar of strength. Bastar’s peace is not merely an achievement for our state—it is a collective gain for India and a shining testament to the success of our democratic values.