Bhubaneswar: Janjatiya Gourav Divas was celebrated today. The main festival of the nationwide event was celebrated at Jamui in Bihar, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the program held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar and attended the Prime Minister’s program on virtual mode.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister Shri Majhi laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 1535 crore for the development of tribals. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, STSC Development Minister Natyananda Gond, MP Aparajita Sarangi, MLA Babu Singh graced the occasion.
Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary STSC Development, SSEPD and Odia Language, Literature and Culture welcomed the dignitaries and detailed out the program.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister paid tributes to Lord Birsa Munda and said that Birsa Munda is a unique warrior of our freedom struggle. He said the story of Birsa Munda’s struggle is and will remain etched in golden letters. He said the country and the nation will never forget his contribution for the upliftment of the tribals.
The Chief Minister said that today is a day to pay homage to the rich traditions of our tribal community. On this occasion, he also remembered the sacrifices and sacrifices of the great freedom fighters like Shaheed Laxman Nayak, Ratna Nayak, Chakra Bisoi, Dora Bisoi, Rendo Majhi. He said that these great fighters have made a significant contribution in reshaping the history and culture of our country.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s efforts to revive the memory of Birsa Munda, the Chief Minister said that on the auspicious occasion of Janjatiya Gourav Divas today, the distinguished Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is present at Jamui in Bihar and launching a number of welfare projects under the ‘Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Yojana’. The main objective of this campaign is to remove the gaps in the health, education, livelihood and infrastructure of the tribal communities and bring them into the mainstream. A total of 7,667 villages in 27 districts of Odisha have been included in the campaign and we are actively working for the successful implementation of this campaign. Special gram sabhas have been organised in all these villages.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 1535 crore for the upliftment and welfare of tribals. In this, 16 ashram schools will be upgraded to high schools. A total of Rs 240 crore will be invested as Rs 15 crore per school. Similarly, 13 secondary schools will also be converted into higher secondary schools. For this, an investment of Rs 286 crore will be made at the rate of Rs 22 crore per school. Rs 852 crore will be spent on the construction of 426 primary school hostels.
Similarly, Rs 100 crore will be invested for the construction of tribal culture and heritage building at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar. An investment of Rs 50 crore will be made for the construction of the Tribal Language Institute at Gothapatna and Rs 4 crore for the construction of the Tribal Asmita Bhavan. An investment of Rs 3 crore will also be made for the construction of five multipurpose centres.
Speaking on the occasion, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, New and Renewable Energy said that Birsa Munda’s struggle and sacrifice against the oppression of the British Government will always remain an inspiration. Birsa Munda’s sacrifice was neglected by the previous governments. In order to keep the memory of Birsa alive after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, his birth anniversary is being celebrated as Tribal Pride Day and many schemes are being implemented for the development of tribals. He said that under the PM Janman Yojana, electricity is being provided through solar energy in tribal areas in 18 states.
Speaking as one of the guests, Union Minister of State for Power, New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik said that the efforts made by Lord Birsa Munda to strengthen the bonds of tribal society and uplift them are not comparable.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Minister for School and Mass Education, Development of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, Welfare of Minority Communities and Backward Classes Nityanand Gond and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi recalled the contribution of prominent Birsa Munda and highlighted the steps being taken for the upliftment of the tribals.
Indramani Tripathy, Director, Tribal Affairs and Scheduled Tribes proposed the vote of thanks.