PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary on Tribal Pride Day in Dediapada and launched projects worth Rs 9700 crore. PM made detailed announcements on Janman, education, health, MSP increase and protection of tribal culture.
Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Tribal Pride Day function organized at Dediapada in Narmada district on Saturday. Paying tribute to the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, he said that the tribal community has always been in the front line in protecting the country’s honour, self-respect and Swaraj.
Inspiration of Lord Birsa Munda and importance of tribal culture
The Prime Minister said that Birsa Munda’s contribution in protecting the rights of water, forest and land and in awakening the consciousness of saving tribal culture is unique. To commemorate his 150th birth anniversary, 2025 is being celebrated as ‘Tribal Pride Year’.
Gift of development projects worth more than Rs 9700 crore
On Tribal Pride Day on November 15, the Prime Minister launched development projects worth more than Rs 9700 crore in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Along with this, Tribal Welfare Scheme of Rs 2000 crore was also started for the development of tribal community of Gujarat.
Darshan and greeting of tribal society in Devmogra Dham
The Prime Minister visited Mogi Pandori Mata, the place of worship of the tribes, in Devmogra Dham of Satpura mountain range. After that he passed through the crowd in an open jeep with the Chief Minister and accepted the greetings of the people.
Message of connecting ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ with tribal society
The Prime Minister said that the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda inspires us to strengthen the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. His government has ensured that the tribal society is not left behind from the mainstream of development.
Mention of neglect by previous governments
The Prime Minister said that the parties in power for decades neglected the tribal community and their heroes, especially Birsa Munda. But his government has given priority to the respect, rights and development of the tribes.
Expansion of schemes for education, health and economic upliftment
The Prime Minister told that
- A provision of Rs 24,000 crore has been made under PM Janman Yojana.
- 60,000 villages are benefiting from PM Tribal Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
- Most backward tribal districts have been made aspirational districts and given special budget.
- The number of minor forest produce has been increased from 20 to 100 and the MSP has also increased.
Emphasis on health services and sickle cell campaign
A national level campaign has been launched to fight the dreaded sickle cell disease. Due to increase in hospitals, health centers and dispensaries in tribal areas, more than 6 crore tribal citizens have been screened.
Efforts to preserve tribal language and culture
The Prime Minister informed that Tribal Language Promotion Center has been started in Birsa Munda Tribal University. Here the dialects of many tribes including Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Santhal, Rathwa are being preserved. Tribal folklore, songs, ballads and art will also be collected.
Rapid progress in education and development in Gujarat
The Prime Minister said that two decades ago there was not a single science college in the tribal belt from Ambaji to Umargam, whereas now many science, arts and commerce colleges have been established here. The scope of Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana has also been expanded under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Address of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modi has realized ‘development as well as heritage’. The contribution of tribes in the freedom movement was neglected for a long time, but now they have got respect. He stated that:
- Gujarat is performing excellently in PM Janman Yojana.
- Gujarat has received the Best Performer Award in providing housing to especially vulnerable tribal groups.
- Under Dharti Aaba Tribal Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, more than 700 camps were organized in 21 districts in Gujarat and more than 1 lakh people benefited.
Major achievements in education and health
The Chief Minister said that now there are 12 science colleges, 2 universities and 11 medical colleges in tribal areas. Also, Gujarat is the first state in the country to start the genome sequencing project for tribal health.
Tribal Pride Rath Yatra and Honor Ceremony
Tribal Pride Rath Yatra was organized in the state from 7 to 13 November. The Prime Minister honored Birsa Munda’s descendants Shri Sukhram Munda and Shri Ravi Munda by presenting them with shawls and flower bouquets.
Launch of new transport services
The Prime Minister flagged off the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Tribal Transport buses of Gujarat ST Corporation. A short video based on tribal development was also screened in the programme.
A large number of tribal citizens present in the program
State ministers, MPs, MLAs, administrative officers and officials of various departments were present in large numbers in the programme.