Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participates in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra

Prime Minister’s Office

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 15 NOV 2026 2:59PM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today participated in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra via video conferencing, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 246 development projects worth around ₹3,000 crore. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the Prime Minister greeted citizens across the nation with ‘Johar’, bowed in reverence to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and stated that the nationwide celebrations reflect the pride of tribal communities and his enduring inspiration as the country remembers its tribal heroes and heroines. Highlighting the grand celebration in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli,a land of rich tribal culture associated with the heroic sagas of Raghoji Bhangre, Bhagoji Naik, and Veer Baburao Shedmake,he bowed to all tribal warriors. “I also felicitate all the Governors, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and every public representative who are participating in this event from across the country,” said Shri Modi.

Noting that the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, initiated on November 15, 2021, has evolved into a national festival that witnessed over two lakh events and the participation of crores of citizens during Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary last year. “Today India is remembering its heritage, its history, and its heroes with Swadeshi self-respect, which is a symbol of a major transformation that has come in our national consciousness,” observed PM Modi.

Recalling how tribal communities consistently raised their voices against colonial injustice,from Tirot Sing’s struggle in the Khasi Hills, the Kol movement of Chota Nagpur, and the Santhal revolution led by Sido-Kanhu to the sacrifices of Govind Guru’s followers at Mangarh and the courage of Rani Gaidinliu, Tantya Bhil, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Rani Durgavati, the Prime Minister highlighted the overarching legacy of these freedom movements. “Along with all these sagas, the Ulgulan of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and his struggle at a young age is even today a very big inspiration for crores of us countrymen,” remarked Shri Modi.

Highlighting the inauguration of over 170 tribal development projects and the laying of foundation stones for more than 70 projects worth around 3,000 crore rupees across various states on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Prime Minister noted the inauguration of a museum dedicated to freedom fighter Ropuiliani in Mizoram and the new building of the Tribal Research Institute in Arunachal Pradesh, alongside educational institutions, healthcare services, tribal product marketing centers, and rural infrastructure works. “I extend my heartiest congratulations to the country for all these projects,” affirmed PM Modi.

Observing that this year’s celebration coincides with widespread discussion of two historic national milestones,nearly 50 crore citizens defeating extreme poverty and India achieving freedom from Naxalism and Maoist terror, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of both accomplishments for tribal regions. “Both these achievements are deeply connected with the lives of our tribal brothers and sisters,” noted Shri Modi.

Referring to the recent World Bank report stating that nearly 50 crore Indians escaped extreme poverty over the past 12 to 13 years, the Prime Minister described this as one of India’s greatest post-independence achievements driven not by any single government, but by the collective strength of society, the hard work of every citizen, and targeted Central tribal welfare schemes and decisions. “For this achievement, I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the countrymen, especially to my tribal brothers and sisters,” remarked PM Modi.

Describing the exit of millions from poverty as the fulfillment of a firm resolve to prioritize those deprived of development for decades, the Prime Minister noted that the government deployed its full strength in the most backward tribal regions that lacked basic necessities, allocating over one lakh crore rupees for the PM-JANMAN Yojana and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. “Our effort was that the families whom facilities reached the latest after independence should now have facilities reached to them the fastest,” asserted Shri Modi.

Detailing the government’s commitment to prioritizing the underprivileged by constructing over four crore pucca houses for the poor, electrifying 18,000 villages that had remained in darkness for decades after independence, providing free medical coverage up to five lakh rupees under Ayushman Bharat, and establishing over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs that brought healthcare to remote tribal pockets, the Prime Minister also highlighted the impact of rural sanitation. “When poor families got toilets and sanitation facilities increased, the risk of numerous diseases also decreased,” noted PM Modi.

Emphasizing that eradicating poverty required expanding income opportunities for poor families, the Prime Minister stated that lakhs of crores of rupees in collateral-free loans were disbursed under the Mudra Yojana, benefiting the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities alike. “Through this, a new self-confidence to move forward was born within them,” observed Shri Modi.

Highlighting targeted interventions in regions that had long lagged in development, including a special campaign across more than 100 Aspirational Districts and over 500 Aspirational Blocks with large tribal populations as well as a focused drive across 100 agriculturally backward districts under the PM Krishi Dhan Dhanya Yojana to create new opportunities for farmers, poor families, and tribal communities, the Prime Minister underscored the transformative power of collective effort. “These collective efforts and the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas gave a new self-confidence to the poor of the country, and crores of poor people demonstrated by defeating poverty,” asserted PM Modi.

Turning to the nation’s second major milestone of freedom from Naxalism, which inflicted the greatest harm on tribal communities across Gadchiroli and other tribal belts, the Prime Minister noted that around 125 districts were affected by Naxalism, when hundreds of violent incidents occurred every year and claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, mostly tribal brothers and sisters. Noting that with the end of Naxalism today, mothers and newly secure sisters are blessing the government while youth once robbed of their childhoods are accessing education and employment, the Prime Minister recalled celebrating Diwali a few days ago with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, a region people once feared to visit. “In all the formerly Naxal-affected areas, including Gadchiroli, this time on Diwali, along with earthen lamps, the light of hope has also reached the people,” observed PM Modi.

Spotlighting the enthusiastic contribution of tribal communities to India’s progress and noting that the nation’s highest office is held by a daughter of the tribal community, the Prime Minister expressed the nation’s collective pride. “All of us are proud of President Droupadi Murmu ji,” affirmed Shri Modi.

Concluding his address with best wishes on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, the Prime Minister called upon citizens to draw inspiration from the life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. “Today is the time that taking inspiration from Bhagwan Birsa Munda, we invest even more of our energy in fulfilling the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” asserted PM Modi.

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