Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for various welfare projects worth Rs 1,535 crore aimed at the development of tribals.
Addressing an event held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister paid tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, hailing him as a unique fighter of India’s freedom struggle. He emphasized that the country will never forget Birsa Munda’s contribution to the upliftment of the tribal community.
The Chief Minister also remembered the sacrifices of great freedom fighters like Shaheed Laxman Nayak, Ratna Nayak, Chakra Bishoi, Dora Bishoi, and Rendo Majhi. He acknowledged their significant contributions to shaping the history and culture of India.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to revive the memory of Birsa Munda, the Chief Minister noted that the Prime Minister launched several welfare projects under the ‘Dharti Aba Janatiya Gram Utkarsh Yojana’ in Jamui, Bihar. This campaign aims to remove disparities in health, education, livelihood, and infrastructure for the tribal community and bring them into the mainstream.
In Odisha, 7,667 villages across 27 districts have been included in this campaign. The state government is actively working towards its successful implementation. Special village councils have been organized in all these villages.
The Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 1,535 crore for the upliftment and welfare of tribals. These projects include upgrading 16 ashram schools to high schools at a cost of Rs 240 crore, converting 13 secondary schools into higher secondary schools at a cost of Rs 286 crore, and constructing 426 primary school hostels at a cost of Rs 852 crore.
Additionally, Rs 100 crore will be invested in constructing a tribal culture and heritage building at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar, Rs 50 crore for a tribal language institute, and Rs 4 crore for a tribal heritage building. Five multi-purpose centres will also be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the noble traditions and heritage of tribal communities. The government has taken several steps for their all-round development, including empowering them by granting forest land rights. On this occasion, the Chief Minister granted Habitat Rights to 8 Specially Protected Tribal Groups (PVTG) of the state under the Forest Land Rights Act. Odisha has achieved remarkable success in granting Habitat Rights to the PVTG, setting an all-India record.
On Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi honoured the struggle and sacrifice of Birsa Munda against British oppression, calling it “forever inspiring.” He noted that previous governments neglected Birsa Munda’s sacrifices, but after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, his birth anniversary is celebrated as a national pride day, with various schemes implemented for tribal development.
Joshi highlighted the PM Janman Yojana, which provides electricity to tribal areas in 18 states through solar power. Union Minister Shripad Naik praised Birsa Munda’s efforts to strengthen tribal society and upliftment as “unparalleled.”
Other dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, recalled Birsa Munda’s contributions and outlined steps for tribal upliftment.
