Tribal welfare is our top priority : Prime Minister Shri Modi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that tribal heroes and leaders from different regions of the country shed their blood for independence and fought against British. We cannot forget the contribution made by tribal leaders in the early phase of the freedom struggle. Historians and previous governments completely ignored their contributions. The contribution of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle is incomparable and unprecedented. We have taken the responsibility of making the new generation aware of contributions of these tribal heroes.

Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is observed every year, on 15 November is the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The purpose of celebrating Rashtriy Janjayiya Gaurav Diwas is to about and salute the great warriors who sacrificed everything for the country’s freedom. The Prime Minister was addressing the Rashtriy Janjayiya Gaurav Diwas ceremony from Gujarat’s Narmada district. The program was telecast live across the country. The virtual address of PM Shri Modi was heard during the state-level program held at Jabalpur.

The Prime Minister said that all tribal languages will be studied, and much can be learned from their way of life, which is full of scientific understanding. He said that the day also reminds us of the injustices faced by millions of tribal communities. They will be brought to the mainstream of development. When the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was formed, the Tribal Welfare Ministry was established for the first time. Tribals are being supported in education, health, connectivity, and all sectors.

PM Shri Modi further said tribal youth today are becoming doctors, engineers, and entering government services. More than ₹18,000 crore has been spent on constructing and developing infrastructure for Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country, and admissions have increased by 60 percent. Tribal youth have significantly contributed to enhancing India’s reputation globally. Recently, the Indian women’s cricket team made history by winning the World Cup, and a tribal daughter from Madhya Pradesh was also part of this team.

The Prime Minister said sickle cell anemia has been a major threat among tribal communities. So far, 6 crore people have been screened for it. Language barriers in the education of tribal children are also being eliminated. Tribal communities have a rich tradition of art and painting. Gujarat’s tribal artist Pareshbhai Rathwa has already received the Padma award. The Prime Minister said the country’s President also comes from the tribal community. Several states—including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland—have tribal Chief Ministers. In Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, from the tribal community, serves as the Governor. He added that the national song Vande Mataram also completes 150 years. Vande Mataram has become a source of inspiration for India’s unity and integrity.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought for freedom protecting culture and  sacred cow: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that under PM Modi’s guidance, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda has been celebrated with great enthusiasm for the past five years across the country. He stated that the tribal communities raised the banner of Swaraj against oppressive British laws, taxation, and forest control, making Madhya Pradesh one of the toughest regions for the British. MP has the highest tribal population in the country. Rani Durgavati fought against invaders 500 years ago. Many tribal heroes—including Tantya Mama, Khajya Nayak, Bhima Nayak, Shankar Shah, Raghunath Shah, and Chhitu Kirad—fought against the British for  water, forests, and land. Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought for freedom while protecting his culture and mother cows and embraced martyrdom at the age of just 25.

The Chief Minister said that special programs were held in Barwani, Alirajpur, and Jabalpur on the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, with participation from Union and State ministers. PM Shri Modi addressed people virtually. He said that the flame of freedom was first lit from Madhya Pradesh, by tribal heroes. The Salt Satyagraha laid the foundation for the Jungle Satyagraha in MP. The “Turiya Satyagraha” in the forests of Seoni is a living example of tribal bravery.

Dr. Yadav said that from Jabalpur, Gondwana’s martyrs Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah set an unprecedented example of patriotism. Bhima Nayak of Nimar humbled the British. Tantya Bhil from Khandwa-Burhanpur weakened British rule. Khajya Nayak in Jhabua–Alirajpur organized revolutionaries. Rani Kamlapati chose honour over submission. Rani Durgavati fought 52 battles against Akbar and Sher Shah Suri and won 51 of them.

He said the Mahakaushal region is the birthplace of many great tribal heroes. Gond rulers contributed to strength and good governance. In 1857, Maharaja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah ignited the flame of revolution and were executed by cannon fire for writing patriotic poetry. In 1923, when the national freedom movement was at its peak, Chhindwara’s tribal hero Badal Bhoi and thousands of tribal warriors joined the freedom struggle and sacrificed their lives.

The CM announced that projects worth over ₹662 crore for the holistic development and welfare of tribals are being inaugurated. These include inauguration of 106 projects worth over ₹564 crore and foundation-laying for 27 projects worth over ₹98 crore. The Shalini App has also been launched. Students benefiting from the Bal Vigyan Award Scheme were also honored.

Honouring Tribal Talents

Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav honoured tribal youth, painters, and doctors working against sickle cell anemia. Women’s Cricket World Cup player Sushri Kranti Gaur from Chhatarpur was given a cheque of ₹1 crore and a citation. Padma Shri Arjun Singh Dhurve, Smt. Phuljharia Bai, Smt. Ujiyaro Bai, Vikram Awardee Ragini Marko, and Srishti Singh were honoured. Appointment letters were distributed to 6 PVTG candidates who cleared competitive exams. Two meritorious tribal students of Class 12th received the Maharaja Shankar Shah and Rani Durgavati Merit Awards. Benefits of various schemes were distributed to tribal beneficiaries.

Chief Minister’s Announcement

CM Dr. Yadav announced that all girls’ hostels and ashrams under the Tribal Affairs Department will now be named after Veerangana Rani Durgavati. Similarly, boys’ hostels will be named after Maharaja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah. He also announced the recruitment of 5,000 hostel superintendents in 2026.

Launch of Shalini App for Information on Tribal Schemes

Tribal Affairs Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah said for the benefit of tribal communities the department has launched the Shalini App to give information of tribal welfare schemes. The app was launched in the presence of the Governor and the Chief Minister. PWD Minister Shri Rakesh Singh expressed gratitude to tribal communities attending the ceremony from various regions.

Traditional Welcome to Governor and Chief Minister

The Governor and Chief Minister were welcomed with traditional tribal attire and peacock crowns. The event began with the national song Vande Mataram and concluded with the national anthem Jana-Gana-Mana.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Jagdish Deora, senior MLA and State President Shri Hemant Khandelwal, MP Ashish Dubey, Rajya Sabha member Smt. Sumitra Valmiki, MLA Santosh Varkade, local representatives, and a large number of tribal community members were present