• HOME»
  • India»
  • Baiga Tribe Receives Invite for R-Day 2025 Celebrations from President

Baiga Tribe Receives Invite for R-Day 2025 Celebrations from President

The invitation of three Baiga families from Kabirdham to Republic Day 2025 highlights their journey from isolation to empowerment, with improvements such as solar-powered electricity and recognition from India's top leadership.

Advertisement
Baiga Tribe Receives Invite for R-Day 2025 Celebrations from President

For the first time, three Baiga families of the Pandaria development block in Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, have been invited by President Droupadi Murmu to the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26, 2025. It is a historical milestone for this PVTG and the great change that has occurred among them during the last couple of years.

Baiga Families to Travel to Delhi

The three selected families will travel to Delhi for the first time. These families include Jagatin Bai Baiga and her husband, Phool Singh Baiga, from the Patapri village under Kadawani Gram Panchayat. Being invited here is a mark of their progress and the efforts of the government to bring improvements in their lives. Jagatin Bai added: “We get electricity. We are very happy.”. We used to live in darkness, and there was always fear of insects.”

The Baiga community, which had long struggled with isolation and lack of basic amenities, has seen significant improvements in recent years. These changes include the installation of solar-powered lights in every home in Patapri village, marking a significant shift towards modernization.

A Transformative Shift: Solar Energy and Government Initiatives

The shift to solar-powered electricity has been a game-changer for the Baiga families. Phool Singh Baiga recalled the time when the village relied on a small solar panel costing just a few rupees. “Earlier, we had a small solar panel that cost 7-8 rupees. Sometimes, we could use it to cook, but often we had to cook in the dark,” he explained. The efforts of the government have made Patapri village have 24-hour solar lighting, allowing the villagers to live with more security and ease.

In October 2024, Collector Gopal Verma launched the installation of 300-watt solar home lighting systems in every house in Patapri village. This step has not only put an end to the isolation of the village but also enabled the community to experience basic modern amenities, transforming their lives day-to-day.

Impact of Electricity on Baiga Families

The installation of electricity has affected the lives of the Baiga families immensely. “Now, with electricity, we can visit each other’s houses freely,” said Phool Singh. “Before Diwali, we didn’t have enough light. Cooking with firewood was the norm. We lived in fear due to the darkness in the village surrounded by forests. Now that there is light, our fear has diminished.

Jagatin Bai said, “With electricity, we now have fans. We don’t feel the heat, and the children are happy.” The change has also enabled the younger generation to study and play without the constraints of darkness.

A Dream Comes True: The Invitation to Delhi

For the Baiga families, this invitation is more than a visit to the nation’s capital. It is a celebration of their progress, resilience, and the opportunities that have opened up due to government schemes. Jagatin Bai, who had never traveled more than 10 kilometers from her village, expressed her excitement: “It would be an experience to travel in a train-like vehicle that I have never seen before,” she said. Her enthusiasm reflects the vast changes this invitation represents for her and her family.

During their Delhi visit, Baiga families would be privileged to dine with the President, Droupadi Murmu. Other attractions include visits to the residence of the Prime Minister, Parliament House, and the President’s House. This historic moment has made the Baiga families and indeed the entire Kabirdham district feel elated.

A Proud Moment for Kabirdham and Chhattisgarh

District Collector Gopal Verma said: “It is a matter of great pride for Kabirdham district that six Baiga tribal families have been invited for the Republic Day celebrations. Under the Janman scheme, these Baiga families have received homes, and through CREDA’s solar energy scheme, their homes are illuminated.

Pandaria MLA Bhavna Bohra said that this was a moment of great pride for the whole region of Chhattisgarh. “The President is the supreme power of the country and this momentous occasion to dine at her table while the republic was celebrating Republic Day is an outstanding joy,” she said.

As historic host families, inviting the Baiga families to be a part of the Republic Day in 2025, is a living testimony to resilience and change induced by the intervention of the Government. It changes from a very isolated, darkest-of-life existence to participating with the nation itself on Republic Day. It indicates not only the feeling of pride they and each Kabirdham district citizen enjoy but for that matter the State of Chhattisgarh at large.