‘Tribals Are the Soul of India’s Consciousness’: PM Modi

• PM Modi honours Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary in Dediapada
• Launches and inaugurates projects worth over ₹9,700 crore
• Announces new Tribal Language Promotion Centre at Birsa Munda Tribal University
• Highlights progress in education, health, and connectivity in tribal regions

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Nov: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations in Dediapada, Gujarat, paying tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary and launching development projects worth over ₹9,700 crore.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, “Tribals are the soul of India’s consciousness,” as he highlighted the contributions of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle and cultural heritage.

Modi recalled that the event location, on the banks of river Narmada, had recently witnessed the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He said today’s occasion added to the spirit of “Bharat Parv”, merging national pride with tribal identity.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects aimed at improving roads, housing, connectivity, education, and healthcare in tribal regions. He emphasised that the initiatives reaffirm the government’s long-standing focus on inclusive development.

A key announcement during the programme was the establishment of the Shri Govind Guru Chair for a Tribal Language Promotion Centre at Birsa Munda Tribal University. The centre will document and preserve tribal dialects such as Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Konkani, Santhal, Rathwa, Nayak, Warli, and Dodia, along with their oral traditions and folk literature.

Modi also underlined the historic role played by tribal leaders including Tilka Manjhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Sidho-Kanho, Bhairav Murmu, Tantya Bhil, Veer Narayan Singh, Telanga Khadia, and Alluri Sitarama Raju. He said their courage shaped India’s resistance against colonial rule and inspired generations.

He highlighted the government’s measures to boost tribal education, noting that more than 10,000 schools now function in Gujarat’s tribal belt, alongside new hostels, colleges, and two tribal universities. Under the Centre’s plan, investments of over ₹18,000 crore in Eklavya Model Residential Schools have increased tribal student enrolment by 60 percent.

On healthcare, Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating sickle cell disease, a major issue in tribal regions. He said that screening efforts have already covered six crore tribal citizens.

Modi pointed to accelerated development in tribal districts, particularly those identified as ‘aspirational’. He cited Narmada district as evidence of transformative governance, strengthened by schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM-JANMAN, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, and the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana.

Earlier in the programme, the Prime Minister participated in the Grih Pravesh of one lakh houses built under PM-JANMAN and DA-JAGUA. He also inaugurated 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools worth ₹1,900 crore, 228 Multi-Purpose Centres, a Centre of Competence at Assam Medical College, and the Tribal Research Institute in Imphal.

To boost connectivity, Modi flagged off 250 buses for 14 tribal districts in Gujarat and laid the foundation stone for 748 km of roads and 14 Tribal Multi-Marketing Centres. He also initiated work on 50 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools worth over ₹2,320 crore.

Calling for unity and inclusivity, the Prime Minister said the most meaningful tribute to Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda is to ensure equal opportunities for all communities under the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.