Community Development – Tribal Families Reaffirm Cultural Roots in Pandariya Initiative

Community Development – A total of 66 members from tribal households formally returned to their ancestral faith during a community gathering held in Damgarh village on Saturday. The development was shared following a Tribal Pride Conference and Felicitation Ceremony, where local MLA Bhawna Bohra welcomed the families and acknowledged their decision through a customary foot-washing ritual rooted in tradition.

Community Event Marks Cultural Reconnection

The ceremony brought together tribal residents, local leaders, and party representatives to mark what organizers described as a voluntary and reflective choice by the families. According to officials, the initiative follows sustained outreach efforts, improved access to basic amenities, and a focus on preserving tribal customs across forest settlements in the constituency.

The event also served as a platform to recognize broader development activities taking place in remote areas, particularly those affecting healthcare access and infrastructure.

Bike Ambulances Launched for Forest Villages

During the same program, two bike ambulances funded through the MLA Development Fund were formally launched to strengthen emergency medical services in hard-to-reach forest zones. These vehicles are expected to serve villages such as Chhirpani and the Kui-Kukdur belt, where rough terrain and limited road connectivity often delay urgent care.

Officials said the bike ambulances are designed to navigate narrow forest paths and reach patients faster than conventional vehicles. Once stabilized, patients can be transported to nearby health centres or hospitals, significantly reducing response times in critical situations.

Healthcare Access Expected to Improve

Local health workers noted that the new service would be particularly beneficial for pregnant women, accident victims, and patients requiring immediate medical attention. In areas where ambulances struggle to operate due to terrain constraints, bike-based emergency transport is expected to fill a crucial gap.

Residents from surrounding villages expressed optimism that the initiative would improve overall safety and healthcare reliability for hundreds of families living deep within forest regions.

Ongoing Outreach Builds Community Confidence

This is not the first instance of such cultural reconnection in the constituency. Earlier efforts reportedly saw 115 tribal residents from villages near Neur and another 70 individuals from the Kui-Kukdur region make similar decisions. Community leaders say these developments have strengthened self-confidence and cultural awareness among tribal groups.

Addressing the gathering, the MLA emphasized that tribal society has historically preserved ancient traditions, including nature worship, respect for folk deities, and collective living practices. She stated that the recent homecoming initiatives were based on free will and understanding, not pressure.

Development Projects Reach Remote Areas

The program also highlighted ongoing government-backed development work in forest and tribal regions. Under various welfare schemes, including housing and infrastructure programs, thousands of families in the Pandariya constituency have gained access to permanent homes, electricity, drinking water, and improved road connectivity.

Officials confirmed that more than 3,000 houses have been sanctioned, over 100 kilometres of paved roads have been constructed, and drinking water is being supplied to remote areas through both pipelines and tankers. These measures aim to ensure that government benefits reach the most isolated communities.

Leaders Emphasize Cultural Preservation

Speakers at the event underscored the close relationship between tribal culture and environmental protection, noting that safeguarding forests, water resources, and land remains a shared responsibility. They added that educating communities about their history and contributions is essential for long-term empowerment.

Senior party leaders and local representatives who attended the program praised the development-focused approach and stressed the importance of continuing such initiatives to ensure dignity, security, and inclusive growth for tribal populations.

The ceremony concluded with community interactions and expressions of support from residents, reinforcing a message of cultural pride combined with sustained development.