PM Modi to unveil Rs 3,000-cr tribal development projects on Birsa Munda's 151st birth anniversary on Nov 15

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 246 development projects worth around Rs 3,000 crore on November 15, marking the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter and national icon Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, with a focus on strengthening education, healthcare, livelihoods and basic infrastructure in tribal areas across the country.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday, Modi will participate in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme, scheduled to be held in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, at 11 am through video conferencing and address the gathering on the occasion.

The projects are aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of tribal communities, bridging infrastructure gaps and improving access to essential services, while preserving their distinct cultural heritage, traditions and identity. Of the 246 projects, 173 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. These include 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), intended to provide quality education to tribal students, and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

The centres are envisaged as important hubs for the delivery of essential services and the promotion of community activities in tribal areas. Several other projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), which seek to address developmental disparities and improve living conditions in tribal-dominated regions, will also be inaugurated. Among the prominent projects to be inaugurated are the Tribal Research Institute building at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Aizawl in Mizoram.

The museum will showcase the history, cultural traditions and heritage of the Mizo tribal communities while commemorating the courage and sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters who resisted British colonial rule. Named after Ropuiliani, a 19th-century Mizo chieftainess who stood against British rule, the museum will highlight her legacy as a symbol of tribal resistance, valour and sacrifice. It will also serve as a repository of the historical and cultural heritage of the Mizo people. Modi will also lay the foundation stone of 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools, further expanding educational opportunities for tribal children.

The foundation stones of 12 Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) will also be laid to improve market access and enable tribal producers to secure better opportunities for marketing their products. Another 42 projects under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA will be taken up for implementation through the foundation-stone laying ceremony. The programme will coincide with the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, being observed across the country from November 1 to 15 to commemorate Birsa Munda's birth anniversary and recognise the contributions of tribal communities to India's freedom struggle and nation-building.

A series of activities have been organised at the national and grassroots levels during the fortnight. These include the President's interaction with students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, the National Tribal Literary Festival, training programmes for tribal healers, and health and nutrition camps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Community service initiatives have also been undertaken in tribal villages under the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan as part of the nationwide observance. Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is observed every year on November 15 in honour of Birsa Munda, one of the most prominent figures in the history of tribal resistance against British colonial rule. His struggle, particularly the Ulgulan movement, became an enduring symbol of the assertion of tribal rights, dignity and self-determination. The annual observance seeks to recognise the sacrifices of Birsa Munda and other tribal freedom fighters, while bringing greater national attention to the contribution of tribal communities to India's freedom movement, cultural heritage and nation-building.

UNI SKA AAB