With double the participants, 500 of them ex-Maoists, Bastar has a new tag: 'Olympics', Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The second annual Bastar Olympics is underway in Chhattisgarh, with participant numbers more than doubling from 1.65 lakh to 3.91 lakh.
• Approximately 2.27 lakh women are participating in the event, which includes 11 games.
• Around 500 ex-Maoists are participating, forming a team named ‘Nuva Baat (New Path)’.
• The Chhattisgarh government is spending Rs 5 crore on the Bastar Olympics.
• Participants from the Abujhmadiya tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, have increased, with 4,500 participants this year.

Detailed Insights:

• The Bastar Olympics aims to build trust between the government and residents in the conflict-affected Bastar region.
• The tournament includes events at village cluster, block, and district levels across seven districts: Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma, and Bijapur.
• The initiative seeks to provide a platform for residents, including those from remote villages and former Maoist strongholds, to showcase their talent and integrate into mainstream society.
• The Chhattisgarh government provides free travel, food, accommodation, and health facilities to participants to encourage maximum involvement.
• Increased participation reflects the region's shift away from Maoist influence, with more areas becoming accessible and secure.
• The event is seen as a step towards reclaiming Bastar's identity as a peaceful and culturally vibrant region, supported by efforts to end Naxalism.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Left Wing Extremism (LWE): Ideology and activities of groups that seek to bring socio-political change through violent means.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG): A sub-category of tribal groups that are considered more vulnerable based on various factors.
• Naxalism: A form of radical communist movement that originated in India, often involving armed struggle.