Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the Adi Gaurav Mahotsav held at the Ranger Ground on Saturday as the chief guest. At the event, organized to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes to everyone on Tribal Pride Day and paid his respects to Lord Birsa Munda.
The Chief Minister said that the Adi Gaurav Mahotsav is not just an event, but a celebration of the glorious traditions, bravery, culture, and faith of the tribal community. Such events provide a platform for tribal artists to showcase their talent and introduce other sections of society to the rich art and culture of the tribal community.
Tribal society is the strength of the country’s diversity: Chief Minister
The Chief Minister said that Lord Birsa Munda was a symbol of struggle, self-respect, and organized strength. He said, “Until the weakest link in society is strengthened, the country cannot truly be strong.”
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is continuously working for the respect and empowerment of tribal communities. The three-fold increase in the tribal budget by the central government reflects the government’s sensitivity towards tribal communities.
Selection of 128 tribal villages, special focus on education, health, and economic empowerment
The Chief Minister informed that under the Prime Minister’s Tribal Unnat Gram Abhiyan, 128 tribal villages in Uttarakhand have been identified, where special efforts are being made to develop infrastructure as well as promote education, health, and livelihoods.
Key Ongoing Initiatives for Tribal Societies
The Chief Minister also shared details of the work being done by the state government for the welfare of the tribal community. He informed that four Eklavya Model Residential Schools are operating in the state – in Kalsi, Mehravana, Bajpur, and Khatima. A proposal has been sent to the central government to open a new Eklavya School for the Bhotia and Raji tribes in Pithoragarh district. A scholarship scheme from primary to post-graduation is benefiting thousands of tribal students.
There are 16 government ashram schools operating in the state. Three ITI colleges are dedicated to technical training for educated unemployed youth.
Free coaching and scholarships for competitive exam preparation, a grant of Rs. 50,000 for the marriage of tribal girls, regular celebration of the State Tribal Festival and Sports Festival to promote tribal art, culture, and sports, and a corpus fund of Rs. 1 crore for the Tribal Research Institute are provided.
The Chief Minister said that all these efforts are important steps towards integrating tribal communities into the mainstream and ensuring their economic, social, and cultural development.
Significance of Tribal Pride Day
The Chief Minister recalled that in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared November 15 as Tribal Pride Day. This day is not only an occasion to remember the contributions of Lord Birsa Munda, but also to pass on tribal culture and history to the new generation.
He informed that the state government provides financial assistance of Rs. 50 lakh for organizing this festival to ensure the preservation and expansion of tribal culture.
For the first time, tribal history received a national perspective.
The Chief Minister said that previous governments never gave adequate importance to the tribal community’s contribution to the freedom struggle and nation-building. But today, under the leadership of PM Modi, the country is awakened, and the great contributions of tribal heroes are receiving due respect in history.
Reiterating Commitment to Tribal Society
The Chief Minister said, “I assure you that our government is constantly committed to the all-round development of Uttarakhand’s tribal community. With a ‘resolve without any option,’ we are constantly striving to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country.” Various tribal and cultural groups from across the country and the state presented cultural programs at the event.
Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLA Khajan Das, Munna Singh Chauhan, Savita Kapoor, Secretary and Additional Secretary of Social Welfare, and other department officials, public representatives, and a large number of local people were present at the event.
