Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra via video conference, marking the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The government inaugurated and laid foundation stones for over 240 tribal development projects worth approximately ₹30,000 crore across various states.
Key developments included the inauguration of a museum dedicated to freedom fighter Ropu-Iliani in Mizoram and a new building for the Tribal Research Institute in Arunachal Pradesh. The projects encompass educational institutions, healthcare services, marketing centers for tribal products, and basic infrastructure expansion in villages.
The Prime Minister highlighted two major national achievements: the escape of approximately 50 crore Indians from extreme poverty over 12-13 years as reported by the World Bank, and the complete eradication of Naxalism from 125 previously affected districts. He credited various welfare schemes including PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Upliftment Campaign with over ₹1 lakh crore budget for tribal development.
Specific infrastructure achievements mentioned include construction of over 4 crore pucca houses for poor families, electrification of 18,000 villages that lacked electricity for decades, Ayushman Bharat scheme providing free treatment up to ₹5 lakh, and establishment of over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in remote tribal areas. The government also focused on 100+ aspirational districts and 500+ aspirational blocks with significant tribal populations.
The address emphasized the restoration of voting rights and security in previously Naxal-affected tribal regions, noting that security forces recently celebrated Diwali with local communities in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The Prime Minister also acknowledged President Droupadi Murmu as representing tribal community leadership at the highest level.