Bhopal, Nov 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that it is a great day for the country and the tribal community as the first Tribal Pride Day is being celebrated since Independence in sharp contrast to the fact that earlier governments lacked political will and deprived tribal society.
“They provided Minimum Support Price on only a handful of forest products but that has been enhanced to 90 by us. Other political parties indulged in luxury. They exploited mineral-rich tribal areas but we have provided about Rs 50,000 crore as District Mineral funds. About 20 lakh title deeds were issued, lakhs of scholarships are being disbursed and the New Education Policy emphasises on the mother tongue,” he said at the Madhya Pradesh capital’s historic Jamboree Ground while addressing the Tribal Pride Day Mahasammelan marking the birth anniversary of immortal revolutionary Birsa Munda.

“Tribal contribution to the country is being thus respected. I express gratitude to tribal folk for their affection and confidence towards us for your service day and night. It gives us inspiration and energy. Tribal brethren readily came forward for vaccinating themselves against the novel coronavirus, which was the greatest challenge to humanity,” the Prime Minister said.

He began his speech with the words ‘Ram Ram’ and spoke a few sentences in a tribal dialect.

“Governor Mangubhai Patel is the first tribal governor of this state. I endeavoured to comprehend the songs and dances that were performed before me on this day. There is a purpose behind every tribal act. The body is short-lived, so one should not forget God. There is no point in repenting in the final hour of existence. Land, farms, etc do not belong to anyone. These have to be left behind on earth at the time of departure. This is the supreme philosophy that my tribal brethren have adopted. What can be a greater heritage for the country? Tribal struggles were many in number. The sacrifices of Rani Durgavati and Rani Kamlapati shall be remembered forever. Those Bhils cannot be forgotten who fought shoulder to shoulder with Maharana Pratap. We can never repay this debt but can fulfil our responsibility by conserving our heritage. Lord Ram became ‘Maryada Purushottam’ by living among tribal folk. The tribal community is being made a partner in development. Tribal areas are being developed simultaneously. Tribal sisters and daughters used to struggle for water. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 30 lakh families are receiving tap water in this state. Tribal-dominated districts were earlier labelled as backward. My government’s priority is to encourage the dreams that were dormant for years. The world was stunned when barefooted tribal friends reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan for receiving Padma awards,” Mr Modi said.

He launched the ‘Ration Aapke Gram’ scheme by handing over vehicle keys to two persons. The programme envisages supply of Public Distribution System rations at the village level so that people do not have to go to panchayat headquarters. A related short film was screened.
The Prime Minister launched the Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell (Haemoglobinopathy) Mission by providing genetic counselling cards to a couple of individuals. Another brief film was screened. The Prime Minister handed over appointment letters to three out of 20 newly-appointed Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group teachers. A third film was screened on Jhabua district’s Narsinghrunda, the first village that has achieved 100 per cent novel coronavirus vaccination in the state.
The Prime Minister laid – through virtual mode – foundation stones of 50 Eklavya Model Residential schools.

Governor Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, several Union ministers, state ministers and members of Parliament were among those present.
Earlier, Mr Modi arrived at the Raja Bhoj Airport by a special plane and then reached Jamboree Ground by helicopter. He viewed an exhibition of products made by self-help groups and a photo exhibition focussing on tribal martyrs and heroes of the freedom struggle.
After attending the Mahasammelan, Mr Modi left to inaugurate the redeveloped Rani Kamlapati Station.

UNI Team-AC