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Jagdalpur, November 18, 2024: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai was today welcomed in Bastar style on his arrival at Chitrakoot to attend the Bastar Area Tribal Development Authority meeting.
People’s representatives greeted him by wearing him the traditional Gaur sing crown. Similarly tribal folk dance troupes had given an attractive presentation to welcome the Chief Minister to Bastar.
Elaborate arrangements were made for the Bastar Area Tribal Development Authority meeting at the famous tourist destination Chitrakoot.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai visited the experience zone and various departmental stalls based on the theme of Bastar Hat.
The development plans and achievements of the seven districts of the Bastar division namely, Bastar, Kondagaon, Dantewada, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma and Bijapur, were shared through stalls at the meeting place.
A glimpse of the journey of ‘Bastar Coffee’ was seen: The process and spread of ‘Bastar Coffee’ has been shown in an interesting way in the stall of Bastar district. The exhibition showcases the entire process of coffee production, from fresh cherry production to coffee washing, roasting, grinding and powder packaging.
The ‘Bastar Cafe’ initiative has also promoted employment and economic activities at the local level. Efforts are also underway to get the Bastar coffee brand national and international recognition.
Confluence of art and innovation: Kondagaon district has put forward its traditional craftsmanship and modern development projects through the stall. Jhitku Mitki artisan producers displayed the architecture of Shri Ram Temple of Ayodhya with bell metal art.
Innovations in education and child development: Dantewada district shared the innovations made in the field of education and child welfare. An initiative has been started to connect out-of-school and non-admitted children to the mainstream through the Bal Mitra programme. Children are being trained in leadership and decision making through Bal Mitra Library and Panchayat.
Increasing livelihood from minor forest produce: Minor forest produce based projects and horticulture development are being given priority in Kanker district. The Fresh Sitafal (custard appeal) project has become a major source of income for the women self-help group including local farmers.
Example of women empowerment: Unprecedented efforts have been made in the field of women empowerment in Narayanpur district. The self-help groups members are involved in herbal gulal, mushroom production, Kadaknath rearing and quail rearing. These activities have given economic independence to women.
Progress of transport and housing schemes: The stall of Sukma district has focused on infrastructure and rural development. The work being done towards improving transport facilities under Hakkum Mail, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, positive changes from housing projects, Lakhpati Didi Yojana Maraiguda (forest) Panchayat, positive results in economic empowerment of women self-help groups were displayed.
Positive results of ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme: In Bijapur district, the focus has been on overall development through the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme run by the state government in the Maoist-affected areas, in which information has been given about the availability of better education and health services for the villagers, use of technical and local resources to provide new employment opportunities, efforts to put the natural beauty of the district on the world stage through tourism.
