President of India Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed a public programme at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on October 23, 2026, on the occasion of Bastar Dussehra. She described the festival as a vibrant symbol of Chhattisgarh's cultural pride and collective faith, noting that its various rituals foster a deep sense of connection and kinship among different sections of society. The President addressed the region's historical challenges with Naxalism, stating that through coordinated efforts of central and state governments, the region has been freed from Naxal violence and is now advancing rapidly on the path of progress. She specifically highlighted recent initiatives to provide financial support to tribal entrepreneurs and connect them with markets, expressing confidence that these efforts will prove instrumental in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 through equitable and inclusive development. President Murmu also emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from the nature-nurturing lifestyle of tribal communities, underscoring the importance of preserving and nurturing nature in the development journey. Before the public programme, the President interacted with local Manjhi and Chalki in the Muriya Darbar and visited the Rangoli and Dussehra exhibition at Jagdalpur, following darshan and pooja at Maa Danteshwari Temple.