English rendering of PM’s address at the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra via Video Conferencing

Prime Minister’s Office

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 15 NOV 2026 1:23PM by PIB Delhi

Johar!

Heartiest greetings to all of you across the country who are connected with this celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. On the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, I bow to him with deep reverence. Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is a national occasion that is linked to the pride of the tribal community and to the inspiration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. With this same spirit, programmes are being organized across the country today to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The nation is proudly remembering its tribal heroes and heroines. Especially in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, such a massive gathering is taking place. As far as my eyes can see, there are people everywhere. Gadchiroli has a rich tribal cultural heritage. The heroic stories of Raghuji Bhangare, Bhagoji Naik, and Veer Baburao Shedmake are connected to this land. On this occasion, I respectfully pay tribute to all tribal heroes. I also congratulate all the Governors, respected Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and every public representative participating in this event from across the country.

Friends,

The observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, which began on 15 November 2021, has now become a national celebration. Last year, on the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, more than two lakh programmes were organised across the country. Crores of citizens participated in these events. There was a time when many commemorative days and celebrations in our country were shaped through a foreign perspective. But today, India is proudly remembering its heritage, its history, and its heroes with indigenous self-respect. This is a symbol of a major transformation in our national consciousness.

Friends,

Whether it was Tirot Sing’s struggle in the Khasi Hills, the Kol movement in Chota Nagpur, or the Santhal revolution led by Sidho and Kanho, the tribal community has always raised its voice against injustice. On the land of Mangarh, the followers of Govind Guru made the supreme sacrifice. Rani Gaidinliu, Tantya Bhil, and many other heroes and heroines inspired the nation through their courage. Great personalities such as Alluri Sitarama Raju and Rani Durgavati also energized tribal movements. Alongside all these stories of courage, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan and his struggle at such a young age continue to inspire crores of Indians even today.

Friends,

On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas today, more than 170 projects related to tribal development have been inaugurated across different states of the country, and foundation stones have been laid for more than 70 projects. In Mizoram, a museum dedicated to the great freedom fighter Ropuiliani Ji has been inaugurated. In Arunachal Pradesh, a new building of the Tribal Research Institute has also been inaugurated. In addition, among the projects being inaugurated and launched are educational institutions, healthcare facilities, marketing centres for tribal products, and numerous initiatives related to expanding basic amenities in villages. Across different states of the country, projects worth nearly ₹3000 crore have been inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you and to the people of the country for these projects.

Friends,

Today’s programme is taking place at a time when two major achievements of the country are being discussed everywhere. The first achievement is that nearly 50 crore people have overcome extreme poverty and risen out of it. The second achievement is that the country has become free from Naxalism and Maoist terror. Both these achievements are deeply connected with the lives of our tribal brothers and sisters. A few weeks ago, the World Bank report stated that nearly 50 crore people in India have emerged from extreme poverty over the past 12–13 years. This is a very large number, 50 crore people. I consider this one of the greatest achievements of the country since Independence. This achievement belongs to the entire nation. The credit does not belong to any one government. Behind it is the collective strength of society, the effort and hard work of every citizen. The decisions taken by the central government and the schemes launched for tribal welfare in recent years have also played a major role in this achievement. I congratulate all the citizens of the country, especially my tribal brothers and sisters, for this accomplishment.

Friends,

Such a large number of people rising out of poverty is a major transformation in itself. This transformation is the story of a long journey from resolve to achievement. It has created confidence that India can fulfil its resolutions and that every Indian can achieve great goals. We had taken a pledge that those who had remained deprived of the benefits of development for decades would be given priority. As our resolutions began turning into reality on the ground, a chain of positive changes began to emerge. Our government devoted its full strength to those tribal regions that were among the most backward of the backward, where even the most basic facilities of life had not reached. For the PM-JANMAN Scheme and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, we allocated a budget of more than ₹1 lakh crore. Our effort was that the families who received facilities the latest after Independence should now receive them the fastest.

Friends,

Priority to the deprived, priority to the deprived, this has been our priority. We built more than four crore permanent houses for poor families across the country. Electricity was provided to 18,000 villages where it had not reached even after so many decades of Independence. Through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, free healthcare worth up to ₹5 lakh was provided. More than 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were established across the country, allowing healthcare benefits to reach even remote tribal areas. When poor families received toilets and sanitation facilities improved, the risk of many diseases was also reduced.

Friends,

To defeat poverty, it was equally important to increase income opportunities for poor families. Through the Mudra Yojana, we provided collateral-free loans. Under this scheme, assistance worth lakhs of crores of rupees was provided. The benefits of all these schemes reached the poor, reached Dalits, reached backward communities, and reached our tribal brothers and sisters as well. This created a new confidence within them to move forward.

Friends,

We also gave special attention to those areas that had remained behind in development for a long time. A special campaign was launched in more than 100 Aspirational Districts and over 500 Aspirational Blocks for development, better facilities, and protection of citizens’ rights. A large number of these regions have significant tribal populations. Now, under the PM Krishi Dhan Dhanya Yojana, special attention is also being given to 100 districts that are backward in agriculture. Our effort is to create new opportunities for farmers, poor families, and tribal communities in these regions. These collective efforts, and the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, have given new confidence to the poor of the country, and crores of poor people have succeeded in overcoming poverty.

Friends,

The second achievement that I referred to is freedom from Naxalism and Maoism. The people of Gadchiroli, and of tribal regions across the country, know very well that Naxalite violence caused the greatest harm to our tribal communities. In 2014, nearly 125 districts of the country were affected by Maoism and Naxalism. Hundreds of incidents of violence occurred every year. Thousands of innocent people lost their lives in these incidents. A very large number of them were our tribal brothers and sisters.

But friends,

During that period, the people affected by Maoism and Naxalism, these very brothers and sisters of mine, had been left to their fate by the governments of that era. Their rights had been taken away. Everyone sat in silence and remained quiet. You would be shocked to know that these brothers and sisters from our tribal communities were not even allowed to vote. The governments of that time remained mere spectators and sat with their eyes closed. Maoists and Naxalites would take away small children from poor mothers, and nobody could do anything. Naxalites would abduct the daughters of our homes, and everyone could only watch helplessly in anguish.

Friends,

Now that Maoism and Naxalism have been defeated, those mothers, the mothers and sisters of my tribal community, are showering countless blessings upon us. The sister who now feels safe is blessing us. The child whose childhood was once snatched away is today joining us as a young person. He is receiving opportunities for education and employment. In Chhattisgarh, areas like Bastar, where people were once afraid to go, I myself celebrated Diwali with our security forces in the heart of that region just a short while ago. This Diwali, people in all former Naxal-affected regions, including Gadchiroli, have received not only the light of lamps but also the light of hope.

Friends,

Today, our tribal society, our Janjatiya community, is contributing enthusiastically to the progress of the nation. Today, even the leadership of the country is in the hands of a daughter from the tribal community. We are all proud of President Droupadi Murmu ji.

Friends,

Today is the time for us to draw inspiration from Bhagwan Birsa Munda and devote all our energy to fulfilling the dream of a Developed India. With this call, and while bowing to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, I once again extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. And I urge you that every year, 15th November should be eagerly awaited. The birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and even more than that, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, is the pride of the entire nation and the self-respect of the entire nation. Every 15th November, with greater strength than before, with greater enthusiasm than before, and on a greater scale than before, we should continue to celebrate this day. On Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, we should keep taking new resolutions and dedicate all our strength towards fulfilling those resolutions within a fixed timeframe. What could not be achieved during so many decades after Independence, we must accomplish within a short period. Once again, as I look at the screen and see people gathered at so many places, I can see the enthusiasm and excitement in all of them. This very sight has become the pride, glory, and grandeur of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. For such a successful effort, all of you from the tribal community deserve congratulations. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of you. I thank all of you very much.

Johar.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s address. Original address was delivered in Hindi.

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MJPS/SS/VJ/ST

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