Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in the celebrations of Tribal Pride Day in Jamui, Bihar, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of revered tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. During the event, PM Modi highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to uplift and empower India’s tribal communities and unveiled a series of major development projects aimed at enhancing their living standards.
The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 6,640 crore, marking a significant step towards the development of tribal areas across the country. These initiatives are part of a broader push to create sustainable infrastructure, improve education and healthcare, and provide livelihood opportunities for tribal populations.
In a significant move to improve the lives of tribal communities, PM Modi also launched the Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkras Abhiyan—an initiative designed to uplift over 60,000 tribal villages across the nation. Under this scheme, a substantial investment of ₹80,000 crore will be made in infrastructure, employment opportunities, and the overall welfare of tribal villages. Additionally, the Prime Minister participated in a housewarming ceremony for 11,000 new homes built under the PM-Janman scheme, which aims to provide affordable housing to tribal families.
The event was also marked by the unveiling of special commemorative coins and postal stamps in honor of Birsa Munda’s legacy. These stamps and coins will serve as a tribute to the life and sacrifices of the tribal hero, who played a pivotal role in India’s fight against British colonial rule and was a symbol of resistance for indigenous communities.
Honouring tribal heritage
In his address, PM Modi emphasised the government's commitment to preserving and promoting tribal heritage. He pointed to several initiatives undertaken by the NDA government to honour tribal culture and traditions. “Our government has taken many steps to preserve tribal heritage. Many individuals dedicated to tribal art and culture have been honoured with Padma Awards. We also started a large museum dedicated to Lord Birsa Munda in Ranchi,” he said.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the inauguration of two new tribal research centres in Srinagar and Sikkim, which are part of ongoing efforts to foster research and awareness around tribal cultures. Additionally, the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa in Leh and the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research in Arunachal Pradesh have been strengthened to support the preservation of traditional tribal knowledge and medicine. The establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India is also expected to play a significant role in promoting tribal healing practices globally.
Tribal welfare and economic growth
PM Modi highlighted the economic strides made under the NDA government, pointing out the sharp increase in the budget allocated for tribal welfare. "It was the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee that created a separate ministry for tribal welfare. Ten years ago, the budget for the development of tribal areas was less than Rs 25,000 crores. Our government has increased it fivefold to Rs 1.25 lakh crores," Modi said.
The Prime Minister also underscored the government's focus on providing necessary facilities to tribal communities while fostering skill development and employment opportunities for tribal youth. “We have initiated special schemes for the development of more than 60,000 tribal villages across the country, with an investment of Rs 80,000 crore,” he added.
Tribal representation at highest Level
In a touching tribute to the tribal community, PM Modi highlighted the election of Droupadi Murmu as the first tribal woman President of India. He praised the role of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had strongly supported her candidature. “I consider it a great fortune not only for the BJP but also for the NDA that we got the opportunity to make Droupadi Murmu the President of the country. She is the first tribal President of India, and her leadership symbolizes the aspirations of tribal communities,” said Modi.
He also credited the PM-Janman Yojana, launched to address the needs of backward tribal communities, for bringing about transformative changes in their lives. “The PM-Janman Yojana, which is worth Rs 24,000 crore, has played a key role in reducing the hardships faced by tribal people,” Modi stated.
Celebrating cultural diversity
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Jamui coincided with several significant cultural and religious observances. "Today is Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali, and the 500th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I congratulate all countrymen on these festivals. Today is also the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda and National Tribal Pride Day. I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the tribal brothers and sisters on this special occasion," he said.
