Raipur: Hailing from ‘Baiga’ community, one of the Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVGT) residing in the state, a total of six people from Kabirdham (Kawardha) district are all set to attend the republic day celebrations at Kartavaya Path in New Delhi on January 26.
Those who received the invitation to attend the republic day parade include Jagtin Bai Baiga, her husband Phul Singh Baiga, both residents of Patpari village under Kadwani panchayat of Pandariya block.
The others who have been invited at the prestigious event are Bali Bai Baiga, her husband Sonu Ram Baiga, Titri Bai Baiga and her husband Budh Singh Baiga, all residents of Teliyapani village.
District CREDA Officer Nand Kumar Gaikwad was tasked to facilitate the visit of all the invitees after they received a special invitation from the president office.
During their visit to the national capital, the group will also attend a dinner hosted by president Draupadi Murmu alongside visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the parliament building, Prime Minister’s house and other historical places, read an official release of the state government.
छत्तीसगढ़ के बैगा परिवारों को मिला राष्ट्रपति का विशेष न्यौता !
कबीरधाम के पंडरिया ब्लॉक के 3 बैगा परिवार 26 जनवरी को राष्ट्रपति भवन में गणतंत्र दिवस समारोह में होंगे शामिल।@rashtrapatibhvn #trible
1/2 pic.twitter.com/KYkURQMSOL— Jansampark CG (@DPRChhattisgarh) January 16, 2025
Residing in remote areas of Kabirdham, these villagers were deprived of electricity till as recent as October 2024. However, their life changed for the good after the district collector Gopal Verma instructed the officials of the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) to complete the electrification of all the 25 houses of the Patpari village.
Acting on swiftly, the department then installed a 300-megawatt solar home lighting system to each household of the village, enabling the residents a cost-free access to electricity for the first time ever.
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: A few Baiga families in Kawardha have received invitation from the President of India to attend the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi (22/01) pic.twitter.com/0fygs2emXn
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2025
Elated by the development along with the invitation of President Murmu, the villagers believe that it’s a dream come true for them. Expressing her delight over the invitation, Jagtin Bai said “that we have never dreamt of meeting the president, our village was in darkness but now it has lightened up, it is all because of the government and the collector Sir.”
“It’s the biggest opportunity of our lives. Meeting with the president and attending the republic day parade is a matter of pride for us and our village,” said an elated Titri Bai who will soon join the others on her maiden trip to the national capital.
