Agartala, November 15: India has made remarkable progress over the last decade in uplifting its tribal communities, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi placing their welfare at the forefront of the nation’s development, said Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, during celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Agartala on Friday.
The Union Minister, accompanied by Member of Parliament Kriti Devi Singh Debbarma, Rajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, and senior BJP leaders, participated in the state-level celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas held at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to tribal welfare, Scindia emphasized that budgetary allocations for tribal development have seen a significant increase, rising from ₹20,000 crores to over ₹1.5 lakh crores.
“Key initiatives include the PM Janamana Yojana, which targets the development of 12,000 villages with an investment of ₹24,000 crores,” he said. “Additionally, the establishment of nearly 700 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and the construction of one lakh houses for tribal populations in the past year underline the government’s focused efforts to uplift marginalized communities.”
The Union Minister underscored the establishment of a dedicated Tribal Ministry as a testament to the government’s commitment to directly engaging with tribal citizens and ensuring their welfare.
He also highlighted the “Vibrant Villages” policy, which aims at holistic development in the Northeast, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and empowering tribal communities to drive socio-economic progress in remote regions.
The event began with a floral tribute to the legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, honoring the rich cultural heritage and historical contributions of India’s tribal communities.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda and recognize the invaluable role of tribal communities in shaping India’s history.
Scindia concluded by affirming that the government’s dedicated efforts will continue to ensure that every tribal citizen benefits from improved healthcare, educational opportunities, and economic empowerment, thus contributing to India’s overall growth.
