RAIPUR: In a historic moment for tribal representation and women empowerment, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bastar on October 4 to participate in the centuries-old Muria Darbar, a central ritual of the world’s longest Dussehra celebration.
This marks the first time a Union Minister will attend the Muria Darbar, a traditional tribal council where grievances and suggestions are presented by community leaders known as Majhis.
Home minister Amit Shah began his visit by offering prayers at the Rajmahal temple to Goddess Danteshwari, the presiding deity of Bastar.
He will shortly join the Darbar, sitting on a ground-laid mattress alongside state dignitaries, while tribal representatives were seated on chairs.
His presence underscored the Centre’s outreach to indigenous communities and its commitment to preserving tribal heritage.
In a major welfare announcement, HM Shah will digitally transfer ₹606.94 crore to the bank accounts of 6.5 million women beneficiaries under the Chhattisgarh government’s 'Mahtari Vandan Yojana'.
This 20th installment of the scheme, which provides monthly financial assistance to women, included 4, 000 newly-added beneficiaries from five Bastar division districts — Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada.
These women, from the Niyed Nella Nar (Your Good Village) initiative, had previously been excluded from the scheme but were re-enrolled through 53 camps held in August.