Raipur, December 13 (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, late Friday night to attend the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics 2025. He was received at Mana Airport by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Raman Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma.

From Raipur, Shah is scheduled to travel to Bastar on Saturday to participate in the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics. According to his itinerary, the Union Home Minister will attend morning programmes at a resort before proceeding to Jagdalpur, where he will be present at the Bastar Olympics closing ceremony from 2.45 pm to 4.45 pm. He is expected to depart for Delhi later in the evening.

Notably, Amit Shah had also attended the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics last year, during which he had promised to return for the event this year as well.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described Shah’s presence at the closing ceremony as historic and symbolic of Bastar’s transformation. In a post on X, Sai referred to Chhattisgarh as the maternal ancestral land of Lord Shri Ram and said that wherever Lord Raghuvir is present, auspiciousness follows. He added that Bastar, once associated with unrest and struggle, has now emerged as a symbol of enthusiasm, confidence and cultural pride through initiatives like the Bastar Olympics.

The Union Home Minister said that the Bastar Olympics reflect the region’s development and provide new opportunities for youth, helping change Bastar’s image from one associated with conflict to one that nurtures sporting talent.

Meanwhile, international boxing icon Mary Kom, who is attending the Bastar Olympics 2025, met Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao in Nava Raipur. The meeting focused on sports development and support for athletes. Mary Kom arrived in Chhattisgarh on December 11 to attend divisional-level competitions in Jagdalpur and to encourage young players.

Praising her achievements, Deputy Chief Minister Sao said that despite hardships, Mary Kom had brought glory to India on the global stage through her hard work and determination, and that her presence would inspire the youth of Bastar. Mary Kom also lauded the Bastar Olympics, saying that seeing players from remote villages reminded her of her own early days. She said the Bastar Olympics is an excellent platform for local youth to showcase their talent and appreciated the Chhattisgarh government’s efforts to promote sports and athletes.

The Bastar Olympics is an annual initiative organised by the Chhattisgarh Sports and Youth Welfare Department to provide an inclusive platform for youth, including victims of Naxal violence, to display their sporting abilities and contribute to positive social change. Surrendered Naxalite player Veti Ganga, who participated in the event, thanked the Central and state governments, saying that after surrendering and joining the mainstream, participation in the Bastar Olympics had given him confidence and happiness.

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said the Olympics are helping give the region a new and positive identity. He noted that Naxalite activities are steadily declining and that a normal and constructive environment is developing in the Bastar division. He added that more than 750 players from all seven districts are participating, including members of the ‘Nua Baat’ team comprising surrendered and rehabilitated Maoist cadres and victims of Naxal violence.

Such programmes, he said, are proving to be an effective medium for reintegration into society.

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the Bastar Olympics during his Mann Ki Baat address, describing it as a “new revolution.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar