Dressed in traditional Kosa silk and handwoven attire, women who once spent years in the dense forests of Bastar received overwhelming applause as they walked the ramp at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur. Organized to celebrate National Handloom Day, the fashion show brought former Naxal women into the spotlight, showcasing a striking transition from years of armed conflict to a new life centered on dignity, livelihoods, and self-reliance.
From Conflict to Livelihood and Dignity
The event went beyond a conventional fashion show, highlighting the transforming lives of women from Bastar who have embraced state rehabilitation and livelihood initiatives. Wearing traditional handwoven garments, the participants showcased the region’s rich textile heritage while symbolizing a broader shift toward economic independence. The initiative comes as authorities seek to highlight the changing social and security landscape in Bastar, a region that suffered from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) for decades.
#WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Former women Naxals, who once carried weapons in the dense forests of Bastar, walked the ramp to huge applause at a National Handloom Day event in Raipur after joining the mainstream. (07.08) https://t.co/BtUfHIUsHs pic.twitter.com/ClHzGcRWp1
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026
Bastar’s New Chapter After Decades of Violence
The Chhattisgarh government has been actively emphasizing development and infrastructure connectivity in Bastar as the regional security situation steadily improves. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the region as entering a transformative era following decades of Naxal violence. “After 40-50 years, our Bastar region has finally become Naxal-free, and there is a great need for development there. Connectivity is crucial from a development perspective,” Sai was quoted by ANI as saying. The active participation of former Naxal women in the National Handloom Day event reflects this broader societal shift. Once associated with forest hideouts and armed insurgency, these women are now taking center stage in cultural showcases and sustainable employment programs.
The fashion show thus served as more than just a display of traditional clothing, it offered a compelling glimpse into Bastar’s journey away from a violent past and toward rehabilitation, peace, and new opportunities.
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Shamshad Ali is a New Delhi–based journalist with over six years of experience spanning breaking news writing, on-the-ground reporting, and editing. When he isn’t chasing headlines, Shamshad is usually exploring new destinations, discovering hidden culinary gems, and striking up conversations with strangers. Many of whom turn out to be great sources, and even better friends. He can be reached at shamshadali.dar@gmail.com.
