Chhattisgarh – State Announces Folk Art Honour, Women’s Safety Expansion, and Global Academic Partnership
Chhattisgarh – The Chhattisgarh government has announced a series of initiatives covering cultural preservation, women’s safety, and higher education. Among the key decisions is a move to honour the enduring contribution of celebrated Pandavani artist Teejan Bai, whose performances introduced the state’s traditional storytelling art to audiences across the world. The government has also responded to concerns over the availability of women police stations across districts, while a leading state law university has strengthened its international academic network through a new global agreement.
State to honour Teejan Bai’s contribution to folk traditions
To preserve the legacy of the late Pandavani legend Teejan Bai, the state government will introduce the annual “Dr Teejan Bai Lok Kala Alankaran.” The award will recognise artists who have made exceptional contributions to the promotion and preservation of folk arts. It will be presented every year during the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava celebrations.
Teejan Bai earned national recognition for popularising the Kapalik style of Pandavani and taking the state’s rich cultural heritage to international audiences. During her distinguished career, she received several of India’s highest civilian honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. In another tribute, a government school located in her native village of Ganiyari will be renamed in her memory.
Assembly discusses need for more women police stations
The issue of women’s safety received significant attention during the Chhattisgarh Assembly session, where legislators raised concerns over the absence of dedicated women police stations in all 33 districts of the state. Members called for a wider network of such facilities in view of the continuing rise in crimes against women and children.
Government data presented in the House showed that 3,096 rape cases were registered in 2024, followed by 3,070 cases in 2025. During the first five and a half months of 2026 alone, 1,550 such cases have already been reported. The figures also indicated an increase in cases involving the kidnapping of minors, rising from 2,300 in 2023 to 2,961 in 2024 and further to 3,040 in 2025.
The government informed the Assembly that five new women police stations had already been approved under the previous state budget. It also assured members that additional proposals for expanding women police infrastructure would be examined in the coming period.
HNLU strengthens international academic collaboration
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), based in Raipur, has taken another step towards expanding its global academic presence by joining a multilateral partnership with universities from several countries. The agreement was signed during the AUAP–WURI Impact Summit 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together 20 universities from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the United Arab Emirates with the objective of encouraging academic innovation, collaborative research, and stronger institutional partnerships. The two-day summit focused on the theme, “University Innovation in Partnership with Government: Policy, Mechanism, and Impact,” highlighting the role of higher education institutions in supporting public policy and sustainable development through international cooperation.