Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday participated in the traditional Thakur Joharni festival organized by the tribal community in Narharpur, Kanker district. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda also graced the occasion as a special guest.

At the event, Chief Minister Sai offered prayers to the tribal deities, seeking prosperity, harmony, and well-being for the people of the state. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that the new industrial policy of Chhattisgarh prioritizes tribal development, with a special focus on Bastar and Sarguja regions to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the local population.

During the celebrations at Narharpur’s Unmukt Sports Ground, Sai extended greetings for Thakur Joharni and Navakhai to the people, emphasizing the importance of preserving the tribal community’s cultural traditions and unity. He reiterated his government’s commitment to youth development, stating that a new education policy has been rolled out across the state to enhance access to quality education. The Chief Minister noted that prestigious national institutes such as IIT, IIM, and IIIT are operating in Chhattisgarh, providing career-oriented opportunities. He also cited initiatives like Eklavya schools, Prayas institutions, and the Nalanda campus model as ongoing measures to improve educational outcomes.

Highlighting the state’s progress against insurgency, Sai reaffirmed his government’s resolve to eliminate Maoism by March 31, 2026. He also mentioned that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the state, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board, is boosting livelihood opportunities in poultry, dairy, and animal husbandry. Initiatives such as increased wages for tendu leaf collectors, Chappal distribution program, Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana, and the setting up of Atal Digital Seva Kendras were spotlighted as part of the government’s efforts to ensure welfare, transparency, and accessibility for rural communities.

Addressing the gathering, Arjun Munda praised the tribal festival as a celebration of identity, rooted in nature, tradition, and art. He urged the community to remain conscious of their rights while advancing in education and healthcare without losing connection to their cultural roots.

On the occasion, Sai made several announcements for regional development in Narharpur. Key commitments included ₹30 crore for the construction of the Bagod Anicut, another ₹30 crore for a 132 kV power substation, ₹20 lakh for Mawa Modol Library, ₹20 lakh for a Gondwana community hall at Dhodharapahar, mobile tower installations, and ₹80 lakh for a modern rest house. He also sanctioned ₹1.2 crore for the construction of 12 tin sheds in Gondwana community areas and pledged support for the expansion of Jangorayatar English Medium School.

The program was attended by senior ministers, MPs, MLAs, state officials, and a large number of tribal community members, highlighting both cultural unity and the government’s developmental focus on Narharpur and the wider tribal belt.