Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during the inauguration of ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ – National Tribal Festival, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the mega National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on 16 February.
“The development of tribals is personal to me. Earlier I was in politics, and was just a worker in an organization. At that time I had to go to tribals in many states of the country. I have spent weeks with tribal communities and families in every corner of the country. I have seen your traditions, lived them and learned a lot from them.
Shri Modi said that even in Gujarat from Umargam to Ambika YesThroughout the tribal area, he spent the early years of his life in the service of his tribal brothers and sisters. “His lifestyle taught me a lot about our culture, traditions and heritage.
Today, India takes on some of the biggest stops in the world and presents tribal culture as its pride – as a solution to global problems like climate change, global warming. When people talk about sustainable development, we can proudly say that the world has a lot to learn from tribals,” said Shri Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda during the inauguration of ‘Aadi Mahotsav’. , Photo Credit: PTI
The Prime Minister requested that all the residents of the National Capital Region in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh come in large numbers to the tribal festival and buy as many different artefacts and tribal products as possible to encourage the artisans and craftsmen.
He said, “I urge you to come and see what are the forces in the remotest parts of the country that are shaping the future of the country.”
Language barrier a big issue for tribal children: PM Modi
Talking about his government’s commitment to tribal development, Mr Modi said that from 2004 to 2014, there were only 90 Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students. But from 2014-2023, more than 500 EMRSs were approved and a total of 400 were already operational. “We have also announced in the budget that we will recruit around 40,000 teachers for these schools,” Mr. Modi said.
He said, “The language barrier is a big issue for tribal children. But the new education policy opens doors for mother tongue education. Tribals can now learn and progress in their own language.”
He further said, “The villages which were once associated with separatism and militancy have now been connected with 4G. The youth who used to get drawn into divisive efforts are now using the internet and becoming a part of the mainstream.”
Before going on stage for his address, the Prime Minister visited the “Aadi Mahotsav” stalls. He stopped at some of the stalls selling pottery, handicrafts and food products, even as some of the stall staff gifted him with shawls, scarves and other things.
He also paid floral tributes to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on 15 November 1875. During British rule in the late 19th century, he led an Indian tribal religious millenarian movement in the tribal belt of modern Bihar and Jharkhand.
His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with Jharkhand Foundation Day.
(With ANI inputs)