Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that National Tribal Pride Day, celebrated across the country since November 15, 2021, on the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, has now evolved into a national celebration. More than two lakh programmes were organised across the country on Tribal Pride Day last year, and enthusiasm for celebrating the occasion continues to grow with each passing year.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is being celebrated this year with double the enthusiasm, as the country has achieved two significant milestones over the past year. He said that prioritising the welfare of deprived sections across all sectors has been a key focus of the government, and the results of these sustained efforts are now becoming evident. The Prime Minister, referring to a recent World Bank report, said that the government's sustained efforts over the past 12 years had helped more than 50 crore people move out of poverty. He further said that the entire country had become completely free from the scourge of Naxalism and Maoist activities by March 31, 2026. Both these achievements provide renewed energy and enthusiasm to work with full commitment towards the development and overall welfare of the country and its people.
Prime Minister Shri Modi virtually addressed Rashtriya Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations organised across all states and Union Territories through video conferencing on Sunday, on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Prime Minister Shri Modi informed that development projects worth over ₹30,000 crore had been inaugurated and their Bhoomi Poojan performed across the country on this year's National Tribal Pride Day. He said that the nation is now remembering its tribal heroes, who sacrificed everything to protect their motherland and national identity, with pride, reverence and a renewed sense of indigenous self-respect, while recognising the country's glorious history and extraordinary heritage. The Prime Minister said that the government had taken several significant steps to preserve the memory and honour of tribal heroes. Today, people are not only becoming familiar with the sacrifices of these great tribal leaders but are also paying tribute to them. This marks the beginning of a major transformation in the country's national consciousness.
Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav presented development projects worth over ₹1,570 crore, comprising 115 works, as a major gift to the people of Dhar district at the state-level Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations held at Dahi in Dhar district. These included the inauguration of eight projects worth ₹1,402 crore and Bhoomi Poojan of 107 works worth ₹168.56 crore.
Making the occasion of Tribal Pride Day even more special, Governor Shri Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inaugurated the Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project. Built at a total cost of ₹1,353.18 crore, the project will provide irrigation through Narmada water to 47,000 hectares of agricultural land across 126 villages in Dhar and Alirajpur districts. Nearly one lakh farmers will directly benefit from a permanent irrigation facility under the project. Benefits under various government schemes were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, while talented individuals from the region were also felicitated. Earlier, the dignitaries formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp and offering floral tributes to the portrait of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said, addressing the gathering virtually, that the country has a rich legacy of tribal heroes. The heroic tales of figures such as Radhoji Bhangre, Bhagoji Naik and Veer Baburao Sedma are deeply rooted in India's history. Paying tribute to all tribal heroes on National Tribal Pride Day, he said that there was a time when programmes and celebrations in India were organised from a foreign perspective. Today, however, the country is working with its national pride and heritage at the centre of its initiatives.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that tribal communities had played a significant and influential role in the freedom struggle through movements such as the Kol uprising in Chota Nagpur and the Santhal Revolution. Krantisurya Tantya Bhil, Rani Gaidinliu and several other brave men and women inspired the nation through their sacrifices. Great personalities such as Alluri Sitarama Raju and Rani Durgavati gave strength to tribal movements. Among them, the movement led by Bhagwan Birsa Munda at a young age continues to inspire millions of Indians. He said that more than 170 projects related to tribal regions had been inaugurated and Bhoomi Poojan performed for over 70 projects in different states across the country. These include tribal museums and several development works related to education and basic infrastructure and public amenities. Prime Minister Shri Modi said that 50 crore people had come out of poverty, while freedom from Naxalism was another major achievement. Collective efforts of society had played the most important role in achieving these milestones. Over the past few years, the Central Government had introduced numerous schemes for tribal welfare. The large number of people rising out of poverty reflected the transformation of the government's resolve into tangible results. He said that the country was witnessing continuous transformation, with special attention being given to the development of its most backward regions. The Central Government had allocated a budget of ₹1 lakh crore for the PM JANMAN scheme and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. More than four crore houses had been constructed for poor families. Electricity had been provided to 18,000 villages that had remained without power even after Independence. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, free medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh was being provided. More than 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs had been established across the country, ensuring better healthcare facilities for tribal families. The number of clean toilets and Ayushman Arogya Kendras had also increased continuously, contributing to the elimination of several diseases.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana provided loans without collateral. Poor families and members of tribal communities had also benefited from numerous such schemes, which had strengthened their confidence and self-reliance. The government had worked to bring large sections of previously disadvantaged communities into the mainstream of development. He said that special development initiatives had been undertaken in more than 100 Aspirational Districts and over 500 Aspirational Blocks to improve infrastructure, services and facilities and safeguard citizens' rights. Now, under the PM Krishi Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana, special attention was being given to 100 districts lagging behind in agricultural development. These initiatives had opened up new opportunities for poor families and tribal communities to progress. The principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' had instilled new confidence among the poor, enabling millions of people to overcome the cycle of poverty.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that the elimination of Naxalism was a major achievement for the people of the country. Naxal violence had caused the greatest damage to tribal communities. In 2014, nearly 125 districts across the country were affected by Naxalism and Maoism. Violent incidents occurred every year, claiming the lives of thousands of innocent people, a large number of whom belonged to tribal communities. He said that previous governments had left tribal communities to fend for themselves. Their rights had been taken away, while those responsible had turned a blind eye to their plight. Tribal people were even prevented from exercising their right to vote, and the governments of that time remained silent spectators. Naxalites abducted young children and girls, while no effective action was taken to protect them.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that the country was now receiving the blessings of mothers and sisters following the elimination of Naxalism. Tribal youth were gaining access to education and employment opportunities. People were once afraid to visit the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The Prime Minister recalled visiting the region and celebrating Diwali with security personnel. This Diwali, along with the glow of lamps, the light of hope had also reached the homes of tribal families. He said that tribal communities were now contributing significantly to the country's progress. Today, the nation is also being led by a daughter from the tribal community. Every citizen of the country takes pride in the leadership of President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
Prime Minister Shri Modi urged everyone to draw inspiration from Bhagwan Birsa Munda and dedicate their energies to building a Viksit Bharat. He called on people to take new pledges on Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth anniversary and National Tribal Pride Day, describing the occasion as an opportunity for every citizen to take pride in the country's great national heroes.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Jan Nayak Bhagwan Birsa Munda launched the Ulgulan (Great Rebellion) movement and sacrificed his life to protect people, water, forests, land and the motherland. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, paying tribute, on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh Government, to Bhagwan Birsa Munda for his supreme sacrifice for the nation, that his entire life inspires us to dedicate everything to the nation.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Madhya Pradesh Government is committed to the social, economic and educational empowerment of tribal communities. Through the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and PM JANMAN Abhiyan, facilities related to housing, roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare and education are being rapidly expanded in tribal-dominated areas. Residential educational facilities are being provided every year to nearly 1.40 lakh students through 2,671 hostels across the state. Tribal students are being extended opportunities for scholarships, higher education, overseas studies and preparation for competitive examinations. Efforts are also being made to connect youth with skill training and self-employment and empower women to become economically self-reliant. Special attention is being given to preserving tribal culture, traditions, art and glorious heritage.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that with the blessings of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, farmers in Madhya Pradesh are receiving major benefits, and the area under irrigation in the state has expanded rapidly. The inauguration of the Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project will benefit the Malwa region, particularly Dhar and Alirajpur districts. Under the able guidance of Prime Minister Shri Modi, the Dahi Irrigation Project, costing approximately ₹1,350 crore, has been completed. Just 15 days earlier, a pipeline project worth over ₹2,500 crore had also been inaugurated in Sardarpur.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, referring to a couplet by poet Rahim, that water is life and survival is impossible without it. Through the new irrigation project, the people of the region will receive the benefits of water from Maa Narmada.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that on his birthday, Prime Minister Shri Modi had presented Dhar district with the PM MITRA Park. The project would benefit more than six lakh cotton-growing farmers in the region and generate over three lakh employment opportunities for local youth. He said that the Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project would provide irrigation facilities across one lakh hectares. Under the project, Narmada water would be made available for irrigation to 84 villages in Dhar district and 42 villages in Alirajpur district.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, the government was following the ideals of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and expanding educational, healthcare, employment, agricultural and irrigation facilities in tribal regions. Connecting tribal communities with the mainstream of development remains the government's foremost objective. Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur said that Prime Minister Shri Modi was continuously working to bring positive changes to the lives of tribal communities. Several schemes were being implemented for the upliftment of tribal families and ensuring the dignity of women. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, the State Government was effectively implementing these schemes on the ground. She said that Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel was also making continuous efforts to raise awareness and promote preventive measures against serious health challenges such as sickle cell disease in tribal areas. The holistic development of tribal communities is among the highest priorities of the Central Government.
Urban Development and Housing Minister and Dhar District In-charge Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya said that the Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project would prove to be a lifeline for Dhar and Alirajpur districts. It would ensure adequate irrigation water for farmers in tribal regions. He said that the State Government was committed to expanding agriculture and bringing maximum agricultural land under irrigation. Improved irrigation facilities would enable farmers to cultivate more than one crop annually and eliminate the need to migrate elsewhere for their livelihood.
Senior MLA and State BJP President Shri Hemant Khandelwal described the irrigation project presented to the Dahi region on the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as a historic achievement. He said that the life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda inspires everyone through his struggle, courage, self-respect and dedication to social service. Following his ideals, it is our collective responsibility to work for the development and welfare of tribal communities.
Beneficiaries Felicitated and Benefits Distributed under Various Schemes
During the ceremony, Smt. Shyami Bai Dodwe was felicitated with a shawl and a coconut in recognition of her contribution to Bagh print production and participation in the BRICS Summit. Under the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission, self-help group loans totalling ₹5.30 crore were distributed among 91 groups, including the Jai Gurudev Self-Help Group represented by Smt. Vandana Alawa and Smt. Meera Dawar.
Under the Revenue Department's Swamitva Yojana, a property registration document was handed over to Kailash, son of Sikdarsingh, a resident of Ummedpura village. Shri Bherusingh Dayala of Devda village was provided with a gram seed mini-kit. Aroshi, daughter of Rahul Mandloi, was given financial assistance of ₹90,000 under the Child Heart Treatment Scheme. Smt. Kusum, wife of Raju, was provided benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. As per the results announced under the Gopal-Krishna Gram Competition for Vrindavan Grams, Shri Mahesh Badrilal Patidar, Shri Anil Satyanarayan Patidar and Shri Jayesh Devendra Dhangar were also felicitated.
The programme was also addressed by Tribal Affairs, Public Asset Management and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah and Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Shri Nagar Singh Chauhan. MLA Smt. Meena Verma, Shri Kalusingh Thakur, Shri Jaideep Patel, Smt. Ranjana Baghel, Shri Sardar Meena and other public representatives, senior divisional and district officials, along with a large number of members of tribal communities, were present at the programme.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav Holds Grand Roadshow in Dahi
On the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of Jan Nayak Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav received a grand welcome upon his arrival in Dahi to attend the Tribal Pride Day celebrations and inaugurate the Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project. Local residents, public representatives, party workers and members of tribal communities welcomed him warmly and enthusiastically.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav held a roadshow from Dahi Bus Stand to the main programme venue at the Police Ground and greeted the people along the route. A large number of residents gathered on both sides of the road and welcomed him with flower showers. The roadshow offered a captivating glimpse of tribal culture. Tribal artists dressed in traditional attire presented folk dances. The resonating beats of dhol and mandal, along with enthusiastic public participation, filled the entire atmosphere with the spirit of tribal pride and celebration.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav acknowledged the gathering by waving to the people and extended his greetings on National Tribal Pride Day.
