"I have seen a Tsunami... on phase-1 polling," says Amit Shah claiming BJP will win 110 seats out of 152 that went for voting :::: "People's anguish came out openly during voting"

"Mujhe toh Tsunami dikh rahi hae".

“Forget the old elections, vote for West Bengal’s bright future and form a BJP government,” said Home Minister and BJP's chief election strategist Amit Shah. 

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata. he said :

“There was apprehension that while there is public support, will it reach the polling stations? Those apprehensions have now ended, and I am confident there will be more enthusiasm in the second phase of voting.”

Amit Shah in BJP war room in Kolkata 

Shah said he had been camping in the state for the past 14 days and that the BJP’s Bengal team had conducted its assessment. Based on that, of the 152 seats that went to the polls on Thursday, the BJP is likely to win more than 110, he asserted.

“Taking the second phase into account as well, the BJP is set to form the government in Bengal,” said Shah as he congratulated the security agencies and the Election Commission for conducting free, fair and fearless elections. 

Answering questions, he said unlike the 2021 elections; this year has been different. Starting from beginning, the SIR was carried out, a large number of fake voters and illegal infiltrators' names have been dropped. 

Security arrangements were very good and the Election Commission also kept its strict vigil in order to ensure a free and fair polls. 

"Rosh ki abhi-vekti mukt mann se hui hae (There was people's anguish and a strong anti incumbency mood. This came out openly during voting and I am confident people's mandate will come in our favour". 

 

 

Pointed out that Bengal politics is often subjected to debate about narratives -- men vs women and north Bengal Vs South Bengal and how did things go this time. the Home Minister said -- all sections of people irrespective of their age and identities have voted for the BJP this time.

   

‘Anga, Banga, Kalinga’ will have BJP governments next month: Amit Shah

The Union Home Minister said a Bengal-born and Bengali-speaking person will be the Chief Minister of West Bengal when the BJP comes to power

Updated - April 24, 2026 01:35 pm IST - Kolkata

PTI

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File photo of Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses an election rally in Kolkata.

File photo of Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses an election rally in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: ANI

Asserting that people voted with enthusiasm for a change in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (April 24, 2026) said 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga', the ancient kingdoms that are present-day Assam, Bengal and Odisha, will have a BJP government next month.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Mr. Shah said the BJP will secure an absolute majority in the Assembly elections, and bag more than 110 of the 152 seats that went to the polls in the first phase on Thursday (April 23, 2026).

Phase 1 polling is 'Bangal ka Jadoo' ::: Have the voters written the epitaph for Mamata Banerjee's career on April 23 ?? :::: West Bengal registered a polling percentage of 91.78 per cent .. much higher than 2011 figures when Left was ousted

Record voter turnout and tighter security mark a calmer Phase 1, as political battle between BJP and TMC intensifies amid isolated incidents

No or Low Violence: West Bengal’s Big Signal -- High Turnout might have shocked TMC

West Bengal registered a polling percentage of 91.78 per cent in the first phase of the Assembly election on Thursday creating a record.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar wins first round .... April 23 polling "largely peaceful" unlike the past.

In Phase 1 polling; West Bengal smashes overall voter turnout record of the year Left Front fell in 2011. Previously, the highest poll-participation in Bengal was 84.72 per cent  in 2011. 

By NIRENDRA DEV

— The first phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 recorded a massive voter turnout of nearly 90 per cent, with the Election Commission describing the exercise as “largely peaceful” — a notable shift from the state’s violence-marred electoral past.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar indicated that despite sporadic incidents, the overall polling environment remained under control, marking what observers are calling a “significant improvement” in election management.

Polling was conducted across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, with over 3.60 crore electors eligible to vote. As of 5 pm, turnout stood at an impressive 89.93 per cent, among the highest in recent electoral history of the state.

District-wise, Dakshin Dinajpur led with 93.12 per cent turnout, while Raghunathganj constituency recorded the highest at 95.64 per cent — reflecting strong grassroots participation. Long queues outside polling booths throughout the day underscored voter enthusiasm in what is widely seen as a high-stakes electoral battle.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Krishnanagar, said the turnout figures point towards a decisive electoral shift. He also lauded the Election Commission for maintaining relative peace.

“This is the first time in the last 50 years of West Bengal’s poll history that violence has been kept at a minimum. The record turnout indicates an overwhelming mandate for change,” Modi said.

The contest remains primarily between the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the BJP, which has mounted an aggressive campaign focusing on governance, law and order, and political violence.

While the Election Commission maintained that polling was largely peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and disruption were reported. In Murshidabad district’s Nowda area, a crude bomb explosion injured several people, marking one of the early flashpoints of the day. Tensions escalated further in Raghunathganj when a political visit triggered clashes between party workers and police, prompting a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

Additionally, complaints of intimidation and attacks on candidates — including two from the BJP — surfaced from select constituencies, leading the Election Commission to seek detailed reports from district authorities.

EVM glitches were also reported at a few polling stations, briefly disrupting the voting process before being addressed by officials.

Despite these incidents, the overall scale of participation has drawn attention.  

Political observers note that the turnout has already surpassed levels seen during the landmark 2011 Assembly elections, when Mamata Banerjee ended 34 years of Left Front rule.

The high voter turnout is being interpreted in multiple ways — as a sign of electoral mobilisation, possible anti-incumbency, or simply heightened political awareness among the electorate.

As West Bengal moves into subsequent phases of polling, the focus will remain on whether the Election Commission can sustain this relatively peaceful environment — and whether the voter momentum translates into a decisive mandate.

'Pro-Poriborton wave'  ::::: Long queues outside polling booths reflected strong voter participation .... electorate frustration with Mamata's Muslim-appeasement and Syndicate-raj exposed !!

Jana Aranya by Satyajit Ray talks about Bengal ... an old and a new one --- "unemployed youth have only two choices either corruption or revolution!" :::: Homage :::: "I love and admire my writing. I love you even more, you are even greater” - character Apu had said so in 1959 film

We know how pretty well Satyajit Ray depicted the protagonist Apu in ‘Apur Sansar’ – someone in an accidental marriage, lonely life as a student, his love for his wife and at later stage an inconsolable sense of loss. 

While they travel in a carriage (cow-pulled cart) to drop Apu’s wife for the delivery of the would be baby, an ‘enchanted’ husband Apu throws a question, 

“Tomar chokhhey ki acchey bolo toh (What is there in your eyes)”. 

On the backdrop there is a glow of the match stick and Sharmila’s face is lit up. 

But his wife’s response is yet again very short but romantic in its own form -- ‘Kajal’.

Saumitra Chatterjee is shown at his 'best' – bearded and pensive eye lost in his own thoughts. He is to overcome the sadness of wife’s death and an anguish against his son. Apu throws away all the pages of his manuscript – of an incomplete novel which he wanted to dedicate to his wife (a promise made to her). 

The filmmaker (Ray) and actor (Saumitra) make a perfect combine as Apu holds his both hands facing upwards and his face having reconciled to fate.

Critic Chidanand Das Gupta once said that was : “Ray’s way of slowly bringing about the events outward and inward, in perfect relationship to each other....”.  

Born 2 May 1921, Ray breathed his last on April 23rd, 1992. Ray handled some of the complicated plots very well.  

Siddhartha's character makes in film 'Pratidwandi' may force the viewers

ponder on the weak organisational aspect of the Naxalite movement. 

At one point, Siddhartha sold his medicine books to present sister Tunu with Che Guevara's 'The Complete Bolivian Diaries', but later is not attracted to the Naxal movement by commitment.

His friend calls him a thinker and not a doer. True, Siddhartha thinks of firing a bullet at Sutapa's boss's ribs but does not.

However, Siddhartha bursts out in the climax scene and screams at the job interviewers: "Are we animals?" 

(In 1987, France awarded him the 'Legion of Honour'. In 1985, Ray received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour. He was also honoured with the Bharat Ratna) 

In fact, 'Pratidwandi', Jana Aranya and Seemabaddha are part of the legacy films or 'Calcutta Triology' of Ray.

Seemabaddha (made in 1971) chronicles the tale of Shyamalendu's life, portraying the other side of Calcutta, where people are not exploited.  

Instead people have taken the position of exploiting others. 

Talking about Soumitra and Satyajit Ray, one is reminded of a popular statement in cine-world that Cinema is more often a real vehicle of action.

Long back, an acclaimed film writer Chidanand Das Gupta had written “To Ray, cinema is like the Greek theatre, the action takes place off screen, while on screen, we see the reaction to it”. 

Therefore, when one analyses Soumitra Chatterjee’s performance in some or all of Ray’s films – like popular ones ‘Apur Sansar’ or even at later day’s ‘Shakha Prashakha’ and ‘Ganashatru’, we must bear in mind the context Ray must have created and fine tuned the protagonists as portrayed by Chatterjee.

Spare a few minutes to see the film ‘Apur Sansar’ made in 1959 and one would certainly appreciate that the relationship between Apu and his (accidental wife) Aparna is one of the most perfect depictions of love.

A good observer of the film would not miss a point that Aparna’s fragile beauty has a touch of infinite and perhaps also undefined ‘sadness’! But Apu’s admiration for her grows up mere formality and even infatuation. 

At one point Apu says: “Amar Lekha amar janya koto boro jano, tumi taar cheye o boro 

“You know how I love and admire my writing. I love you even more, you are even greater”. 

(As a journo and regular blogger – one can find the remarks autobiographical. 

But it may or may not be for one particular Father-in-law's daughter.) 

Blogger 

Charulata (1964) or Ghare Baire (1984) were also great films. In later years, he made films like Agantuk (The Stranger).

Adapted from Satyajit Ray’s short story 'Atithi', the film Agantuk (made in 1991) touches contemporary issues pretty well.

The movie unfolds as a quiet yet probing drawing-room drama. Anila (Mamata Shankar) receives an unexpected letter from a long-lost Chhoto Mama uncle, Manomohan Mitra.

She knows nothing about the man in the last 35 years. But the prodigal uncle has expressed his wish to stay with her family in Calcutta. Anila's husband, Sudhindra (Dipankar De), is immediately skeptical, suspecting the man might be an imposter.

Utpal Dutt was a perfect choice for the role of principal protagonist. And his interaction with Dhritiman Chatterjee also throws larger debate of human civilisation and the achievements. Utpal throws a good one-liner about mother tongue -- that is Bangla - something Bengalis are so proud of. 

Pause for a while - come to contemporary settings - West Bengal's elections, the rise of a right-wing party and the talk about identities.

Reflect on this response from Chhoto Mama:

"Je jinish manushe manushe beeved srishti kore, ami take mani na, religion eta korei. 

(I don't believe in anything that divides people, which religion certainly does. Organized religion does especially. For the same reason, I don't believe in caste)." 

In 1975 made film 'Jana Aranya' we find another instance of a social decay.

A semblance of corruption or revolution, two extremes, made Somnath's father anxious. 

"The unemployed youth have only two choices left, either corruption or revolution!" 

This showed how the youth of Calcutta stood at the crossroads in the 1970s. One can always ask - has anything substantial changed in the last five-six decades in the state of West Bengal or in a Bengali life. 

Finally, any write up on Satyajit Ray is incomplete without reference to the 1955 movie ‘Pather Panchali’. 

In this award winning film, Indira Thakran is only a distant relative and the film’s children (first creation of Apu included) love her not just because she is their kin; but they are drawn to her as she represents a ‘mysterious force’ of life and perhaps even death. 

In a lighter vein, Bengal's 'mysterious force' of life or even death may come out of EVM boxes on May 4. Will Bengalis still favour status quo ?

ends 

When Pakistan allowed and directed its terrorists to carry out Pahalgam attack; it was in a challenging situation ::: A World Bank report said that more than 10 million Pakistanis could face starvation ::: Pahalgam was a 'diversion' strategy

 In 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 2.6% -- down from the earlier prediction of 3% made in January.

Pakistan was certainly  heavily dependent on loans from the IMF, particularly the 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), making the IMF's assessment very important for the country.

A World Bank report said that more than 10 million people in Pakistan could face extreme food insecurity and starvation in 2025. 

The report pointed out that poor climatic conditions are likely to hurt the production of major crops like rice and maize. 

One of the immediate effects of halting trade could be a shortage of critical pharmaceutical goods in Pakistan.

Pakistan's imports from India stood at around $304.93 million for the year 2024, based on data from the United Nations COMTRADE database, which tracks global trade flows. A significant chunk of this import value came from just two categories: organic chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

Organic chemicals made up the largest share, accounting for approximately $164.19 million. This includes a range of compounds used in various industries, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare. 

Pharmaceutical products followed closely, with imports worth about $120.86 million. These likely consist of essential medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and other healthcare-related products.

The World Bank had also lowered Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 2.7%. 

It warned that the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif might fail to meet its budget deficit targets, and the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio is likely to rise even further.  

Pakistan’s economy was already in bad shape, and the situation could have only worsened further.

Inflation could rise again after having eased in recent times. 

Pakistan’s central bank expects the country’s average inflation for the fiscal year ending June 2025 to range between 5.5% and 7.5%. 

Reports suggested that the prices of basic food items like rice, flour, vegetables, fruits, and chicken in Pakistan had surged sharply. 

As per media reports, the price of rice has jumped to Rs 340 per kg, while chicken price has surged to Rs 800 per kg.

The end of India-Pakistan trade was only expected to make this problem even more severe.

PM Modi with Soldiers and Officers 

In 2025, the big question probably was - Can Pakistan really afford to fight ?  

On the economic front; the high inflation is a matter of big worry. 

Unemployment had shot up to 7 percent. 

Millions of people are unemployed. Pakistan is for all purposes today surviving on IMF dole out. 

It's unemployment rate was by April 2025 at 7.5%, with approximately 6.36 million people unemployed. 

This was a significant rise from the 6.3% unemployment rate in 2020-21. 

The number of unemployed workers hasd also increased from 4.5 million in 2020-21 to 18.7 million in 2023.   

Facts and Check list:

Air Force officer Abhinandan was held by Pakistanis in 2019 but the then Prime Minister Imran Khan was forced to release him 'safe and sound'. 

In 2025; post-Pahalgam suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) could not satisfy the Indian public, which was outraged. But it left Pakistan further devasated.

PM Narendra Modi himself had raised the expectations bar by two strikes in 2016 and 2019. 

Modi done --- the hardliner-reaction after the terror attacks in Uri in 2016 and in Pulwama in 2019. 

In Uri, after four Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists stormed the Indian Army brigade unit on September 18, 2016, killing 19 soldiers, India retaliated strongly 10 days later.

Not heard of by Indians as well as Pakistanis; Indian army commandos crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and conducted a series of retaliatory surgical strikes on militant launch-pads.

Probably 150 militants were eliminated and the best thing Pakistan could do was denial.

In neo-Khela Hobey game; "Mamata's fear mongering" did not work ::: CEC Gyanesh Kumar wins first round .... April 23 polling "largely peaceful" unlike the past

Close to 90 per cent of the 3.60 crore electors turned up to vote till 5 pm. 

The voter turnout is among the highest in recent electoral history in West Bengal. 

West Bengal registered a polling percentage of 91.78 per cent in the first phase of the Assembly election on Thursday creating a record.

In Phase 1, West Bengal smashes overall voter turnout record of the year Left Front fell in 2011, 

CEC Gyanesh Kumar wins first round .... April 23 polling "largely peaceful" unlike the past.

"Mamata's fear mongering" did not work ::: 

'Pro-Poriborton wave'  ::::: Long queues outside polling booths reflected strong voter participation .... electorate frustration with 'aapa's' Muslim-prit and Syndicate-raj exposed !!

Voter turnout figures in West Bengal so far make me certain that BJP set for landslide victory: PM Narendra Modi

Addressing a poll rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, Modi also congratulated the Election Commission for keeping “violence during the assembly polls in the state at a minimum”.

"This is the first time in the last 50 years of poll history in Bengal that incidents of violence were kept at a minimum. 

The information I have received so far about the record-breaking turnout makes me certain that this is going to be an overwhelming mandate in favour of a change which Bengal’s voters have already decided to bring about,” the PM said.

***

Polling in 16 districts began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security to decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women, in 152 constituencies of the 294-strong state assembly. 

Long queues outside polling booths reflected strong voter participation in what is being seen as a crucial round in a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP.

The state recorded 89.93 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm, with the Dakshin Dinajpur district leading with 93.12 per cent polling.

Clashes, allegations of intimidation and attacks on candidates, including on two of the BJP, were reported from several constituencies, prompting the Election Commission to seek detailed reports even as it maintained that polling was "largely peaceful". 

Raghunathganj registers highest turnout at 95.64%

Previously, the highest poll-participation in Bengal was 84.72 per cent (overall) in 2011 — the year Mamata Banerjee dethroned the Left Front government.

A bomb blast incident was reported in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, following which, AUJP's Humayun Kabir visited the site. 

However, his visit led to a clash between TMC workers and the police. Security personnel were deployed to control the situation as tensions escalated between party workers and police during the polling process. 

The police used mild lathicharge to dispel some of the crowd.

EVM glitches also disrupted voting at a few places in West Bengal.

The first act of violence was reported in West Bengal as the first phase of voting was underway in the state. Several people were injured as unidentified people hurled crude bomb in Nowda, Murshidabad district,

Biren Singh is only a symptom of the Disease ::::: A Myopic Political and Bureaucratic class is 'unable and unwilling' to take North East India to newer heights

Seven north eastern states have been allocated a combined sum of Rs. 17,620 crore under a new Union Budget scheme, “Pride of Hills,” introduced as part of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) programme.

The scheme earmarks a total of Rs. 25,000 crore for nine hill states for 2026-27 across the country. Only a modest Rs. 7,380 crore is shared between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

One under Congress and Uttarakhand is  BJP-ruled state. Mizoram - under ZPM - is not a NDA-ruled state and was allocated Rs 100 crore only -- a figure much lower than the rest of the region’s share.

Within the Northeast, Arunachal Pradesh leads with an allocation of Rs. 4,900 crore, Nagaland follows with Rs. 3,880 crore and BJP-ruled Tripura gets Rs 3,450 crore. 

Manipur has been allocated Rs. 2,400 crore, Meghalaya - Rs 2,070 crore and Sikkim receives Rs 820 crore. 

Money in terms of central funding has never been a big issue.  So, what has been the issue -- Governance !!  Most of misgovernance is linked to age-old menace called human greed and corruption. 

Other factors would include -- the institutional deficiences and the Congress culture of not fixing any accountability. In the process, the state chief ministers and their subordinates - including Babus and the ministers and other Netas and even social workers -- got spoiled. 

And a few who did not get attracted by the practicing standards -- did not survive long or had limited run.

We have been discussing a lot about Manipur. Since 2023; a sort of an ill-designed curse is working in the state. Nothing seems to work. 

The Kuki-Meitei clashes have not ended. There are problems in Naga areas also. 

“The recent events are not isolated incidents but rather a significant escalation that directly threatens the safety, dignity, and security of our people. Our solidarity is firm, and our resolve is unwavering,” says a statement from the Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth).  

Many such statements can be cited. The Modi Govt's experiment with President's Rule too did not yield expected results. And more recently, the new chief minister Y Khemchand Singh too is unable to control the show.  

In Nagaland; the BJP needs to look inwards as they are in power second fiddle to the regionalist chief minister Neiphiu Rio -- but without much clue on what really is the saffron party's and the NDA government's mission in Kohima. 

About Manipur - at least reports surface that the chief minister was pulled up or N Biren Singh has been summoned. In Nagaland's case - it's pretty cool on the surface. And how would things turn up ... the womb of time has the answer. 

Development cannot be a mere destination.  It has to be a method  of life. Of course, these idealistic phrases are easier said than done. N Biren Singh as the chief minister had lost trust of Kukis almost permanently. Meiteis may play hide and seek or vice versa from his side. But in Manipur BJP; he is understandably still in a commanding position.  

However, for all obvious reasons - the centre cannot play a risk by bringing Biren back as the chief minister. And for his part, Khemchand is so far unable to muster 100 per cent support and cooperation of Biren Singh. 

But this is also only a tip of the iceberg of the problems confronting the state of Manipur and its Governor Ajay Bhalla - who was deputed there with a lot of hopes. 

However, the myopic administration always has a few inherent problems. Those in a position where things can be decided prefer ' a status quo' or Chalta Hae approach so that their own positions are not threatened. 

Chief Minister Rio in Nagaland exemplifies this malady despite being in power for more than two decades. In Manipur; Governor Bhalla or Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, a former Director General of the CRPF, and a few others -- all want to hang on.

No experiment or innovative ideas are being tried because then the 'risk' of losing power would haunt you. 

A deeper analysis is therefore the need of the hour. 

In 2014 - when Narendra Modi became PM for the first time --- north east India was flooded with Congress chief ministers -- Tarun Gogoi in Assam ...

....

Ibobi Singh in Manipur, Manik Sarkar (CPI-M) in Tripura and there was Lalthanhawla in Mizoram and also Nabam Tuki, a Congress CM in Arunachal Pradesh.  

Incumbent Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, also an ex Congressman, is now facing a probe at the orders of the Supreme Court.  

On April 6, 2026, the Supreme Court of India ordered a preliminary Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The investigation centers on claims that government contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore were awarded to firms linked to his family between 2015 and 2025. 

Pema Khandu 

The moot point is essentially nothing much has changed in north east even as the pace of developmental works in infrastructure buildings, highways and airports have been exemplary. Biren Singh has his share of blame in Manipur especially since 2023. 

But in last 12 years or so - ever since the concept of Double Engine Govts have been pushed - hardly any chief minister in the region has emerged as a 'model administrator'. Every chief minister has his problem areas. 

In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma may get some credit for being politically smart and has also pushed infra developments; but he too is hardly of the calibre of N Chandrababu Naidu -when the TDP supremo had built up Cyberabad. 

Assam CM - Himanta 

Thus, there is every possibility that the developmental works, would at best, continue to hang in the balance and at worst, either die a slow death even if the works might have started.  

With a result-oriented govt in Delhi; these leaders actually got enough opportunities to perform. Even as the Union Finance Ministry and the central government as a whole favour taking 'bold steps' to enhance economic activity; it is high time the north eastern states too wonder for themselves as to what they can really do for their respective steps and for the nation as a whole. 

Hence, in Nagaland; Neiphiu Rio should give his 100 per cent for an earlier Solution pact.  A successful and effective Naga Peace Accord would have a salutary impact in Manipur too.

For his part, ex Manipur chief minister Biren Singh must try to rise above selfish demands and a short term vision. The lack of a far-sighted vision by several leaders across states have got the north east where it is. 

Only a neo-pragmatic political administration and effective economic management can save the day to take the north east region to newer heights. 

'Mercurial' Biren Singh 

ends 

Revolution :::: Naxal-free Bastar and Cricket

 Cricket icon Sachin visits Bastar; CM Sai hails it as start of new innings for 'Naxal-free' region

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hailed cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's visit to the Bastar region, once a Maoist stronghold, saying his tour is a matter of pride for the state and a strong source of inspiration for children and youth.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hailed cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's visit to the Bastar region, once a Maoist stronghold, saying his tour is a matter of pride for the state and a strong source of inspiration for children and youth.

The Mumbai-based cricketer, a Bharat Ratna awardee, made a rare visit to Dantewada district on Wednesday as part of a grassroots sports initiative, three weeks after the CM declared Chhattisgarh as "Naxal-free".

Tendulkar's visit to Chhindnar village in Dantewada reflects a transformation of the wider Bastar region, moving from fear towards development, opportunity, and confidence, Sai said in a post on X on Wednesday.