Tribal pride integral part of India’s consciousness: PM

New Delhi, Nov 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday addressed the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme, marking the 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, in Dediapada, Gujarat.
On the occasion, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various infrastructure and development projects worth over Rs 9,700 crore.
Stating that the sacred land of Maa Narmada is today witnessing yet another historic occasion, Modi recalled that on 31st October, the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel was celebrated at the same venue to celebrate India’s unity and diversity, Bharat Parv was initiated.
With the grand celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda today, the Prime Minister remarked that we are witnessing the culmination of Bharat Parv. He paid homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on this auspicious occasion.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the blessings of Govind Guru, who awakened the spirit of freedom in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the entire tribal belt, is also associated with this event. From the dais, he offered his respects to Govind Guru. He further shared that he had the privilege of visiting the shrine of Devmogra Mata a short while ago and once again bowed at her feet.
Highlighting that the region of Dediapada and Sagbara has been inspired by the teachings of Sant Kabir, the Prime Minister mentioned that he is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, the land of Sant Kabir, and therefore, Sant Kabir holds a special place in his life. From the dais, he also offered his respects to Sant Kabir.
Modi highlighted that several projects related to national development and tribal welfare were inaugurated and foundation stones laid today. Under PM-JANMAN and other schemes, one lakh families in the region have been provided with permanent houses. A large number of Eklavya Model Schools and Ashram Schools have also been inaugurated and their foundation stones laid. The Prime Minister informed that the Govind Guru Chair has been established at the Birsa Munda Tribal University. Several other projects related to health, roads, and transport have also been initiated. He congratulated everyone for these development and service initiatives.
Stating that in 2021, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was officially commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Modi remarked that tribal pride has been an integral part of India’s consciousness for thousands of years. Whenever the nation’s honour, self-respect, and freedom were at stake, the tribal communities stood at the forefront. He highlighted that India’s freedom struggle is the greatest example of this spirit.
The Prime Minister noted that countless bravehearts from the tribal community carried forward the torch of freedom. He named Tilka Manjhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Sidho-Kanho, Bhairav Murmu, Buddhu Bhagat, and Alluri Sitarama Raju as inspiring figures from the tribal society. He further mentioned Tantya Bhil from Madhya Pradesh, Veer Narayan Singh from Chhattisgarh, Telanga Khadia from Jharkhand, Rupchand Konwar from Assam, and Laxman Nayak from Odisha as valiant individuals who made immense sacrifices for India’s independence. He emphasized that the tribal community led countless revolts and shed their blood for the nation’s freedom.
Noting that Gujarat has also been home to many valiant patriots from the tribal community the Prime Minister mentioned Govind Guru, who led the Bhagat Movement; Raja Roopsingh Nayak, who fought a prolonged battle against the British government in Panchmahal; Motilal Tejawat, who initiated the Eki Movement; and Dashriben Chaudhary, who brought Gandhiji’s principles to the tribal society. He remarked that numerous chapters of the freedom struggle are adorned with tribal pride and valor.
Modi further emphasized the importance of passing on the tribal community’s contribution to the freedom movement to future generations. He informed that several tribal museums are being established across the country. In Gujarat, a vast tribal museum is being constructed on 25 acres in Rajpipla. He also shared that a few days ago, he visited Chhattisgarh and inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Museum there. He also mentioned the jail, where Birsa Munda was imprisoned, being developed into a tribal museum in Ranchi.
Announcing the establishment of the Shri Govind Guru Chair for Tribal Language Promotion Centre, Modi stated that the centre will study the dialects of tribal communities such as Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Konkani, Santhal, Rathwa, Nayak, Dabla, Chaudhary, Kokna, Kumbhi, Warli, and Dodia. Stories and songs associated with these communities will be preserved. The Prime Minister highlighted that the tribal society possesses knowledge acquired through thousands of years of experience. He remarked that their way of life embodies science, their stories reflect philosophy, and their languages carry an understanding of the environment. He affirmed that the Shri Govind Guru Chair will serve to connect the new generation with this rich tradition.
Prime Minister stated that the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas also reminds us of the injustice done to crores of our tribal brothers and sisters. He remarked that the opposition party, which ruled the country for six decades, left the tribal communities to their fate. He highlighted that tribal regions suffered from malnutrition, lack of healthcare, inadequate education, and poor connectivity. These deficiencies became the defining features of tribal areas, while previous governments remained inactive. Asserting that tribal welfare has always been the highest priority for their party, Modi affirmed the government’s unwavering resolve to end the injustices faced by tribal communities and to ensure that the benefits of development reach them.
Emphasising that under Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji’s rule, their party had established a separate ministry for tribal affairs, Modi said however, after Atal Ji’s tenure, the succeeding dispensation neglected this ministry for ten years. He remarked that in 2013, the then government allocated only a few thousand crore for tribal welfare. The Prime Minister stressed that after their government came to power, it renewed its commitment to tribal interests and increased the ministry’s budget. He highlighted that today, the budget for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has risen multifold for the welfare of the tribal people.
Pointing out that there was a time when the condition of tribal areas in Gujarat was not very good, Modi highlighted that from Ambaji to Umargam, there was not a single science school in the tribal belt. In regions like Dediapada and Sagbara, students did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education. Recalling his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he mentioned that he had launched the Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav from Dediapada itself. He shared that many children used to meet him during that time—some expressed their desire to become doctors, others aspired to be engineers or scientists. He said he used to encourage them to move forward and assured them that any obstacles in the path of fulfilling their dreams would be removed.
Underscoring that relentless efforts were made to bring about a change in the prevailing conditions, Modi said that consequently, there are now over 10,000 schools in the tribal belt of Gujarat. Over the past two decades, dozens of science, commerce, and arts colleges have been established in tribal areas. He added that their government has built hundreds of hostels for tribal children and established two tribal universities in Gujarat. The Prime Minister remarked that such efforts have led to significant transformation in the region.
He recalled how, twenty years ago, children used to meet him with dreams in their eyes—some aspiring to become doctors, others engineers or scientists. Today, many of those children have become doctors, engineers, and researchers. He emphasized that the government is working day and night to secure a bright future for tribal children. In the past five to six years alone, the central government has allocated over Rs 18,000 crore for Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country. Essential facilities have been provided in schools for girl students. As a result, there has been a 60 percent increase in the number of tribal children enrolling in these schools.
Asserting that when tribal youth are given opportunities, they have the strength to excel in every field, Modi remarked that their courage, hard work, and capability are inherited from tradition. He highlighted that the sports arena today stands as a clear example, with tribal youth making significant contributions to raising the honour of the tricolour across the world. He noted that while names like Mary Kom, Thonakal Gopi, Dutee Chand, and Bhaichung Bhutia were well known, now every major competition sees emerging athletes from tribal regions. The Prime Minister shared that India’s women’s cricket team recently created history by winning the World Cup, and a daughter from the tribal community played a crucial role in that victory. He affirmed that the government is consistently working to identify and promote new talent in tribal areas. He added that sports facilities are also being expanded in tribal regions.
Emphasising that their government works with the vision of prioritizing the deprived, the Prime Minister cited Narmada district as a major example, which was once considered backward. He remarked that the district was given priority, declared an aspirational district, and today it has progressed significantly across various development parameters. He emphasized that this transformation has greatly benefited the tribal community of the region.
Modi further noted that several central government schemes are launched directly among tribal-dominated states and deprived sections. Recalling the launch of Ayushman Bharat in 2018 for free medical treatment, he stated that the scheme was initiated from Ranchi, Jharkhand. Today, crores of tribal brothers and sisters across the country are receiving free treatment benefits up to Rs 5 lakh under this scheme. He added that the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative was also started from tribal-dominated Chhattisgarh, and it is delivering significant benefits to the tribal population.