Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday attended the concluding day of the Gadchiroli Festival and flagged off the Maha Marathon 2025, which witnessed participation from over 14,000 youth and citizens. The 21-km marathon saw an intense competition, with Roshan Bodalkar of Chamorshi winning the men’s category and Sakshi Poladwar of Aheri claiming the women’s title. Shorter races of 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km were also held, with winners in each category receiving cash prizes, trophies, medals, and certificates. To motivate participants from remote and tribal areas, Fadnavis, along with Gadchiroli Guardian Minister Ashish Jaiswal and other dignitaries, ran alongside the participants in select categories.

The three-day Gadchiroli Festival, held at the Government College of Agriculture, showcased tribal arts, culture, and sports. Events included tribal group dances, the Veer Baburao Shedmake Kabaddi competition, and the Birsa Munda Volleyball tournament. Teams from remote and tribal regions engaged in spirited contests, with winners awarded cash prizes ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000, along with trophies and medals. Evening cultural programmes featured performances by renowned artists such as Suresh Wadkar, Bharat Ganeshpure, Hemangi Kavi, Madhuri Pawar, and local talent.