Malkangiri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday celebrated Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Malkangiri, commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of legendary tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
On the occasion, he reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare, empowerment and inclusive development of tribal communities.
Participating in the celebrations alongside members of the tribal community, Majhi paid floral tributes to Birsa Munda and recalled his courageous struggle against injustice, exploitation and British rule.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that although Birsa Munda attained martyrdom at the young age of 25, his courage, sacrifice and struggle continue to inspire generations of tribal people to fight for their rights, dignity and identity.
Highlighting the deep-rooted relationship between tribal communities and their land, forests and traditions, Majhi said that their cultural heritage, identity and self-respect are integral to the state’s social fabric.
During the programme, the Chief Minister unveiled two books, ‘Samarpan’ and ‘Janjatiya Gaurav’, documenting the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of tribal communities.
He also inaugurated several development projects and laid foundation stones for various initiatives aimed at accelerating the overall development of Malkangiri district.
Emphasising the state government’s commitment to tribal welfare, Majhi said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the government is working towards ensuring balanced, holistic and inclusive development of tribal communities.
He highlighted several initiatives undertaken for tribal welfare, including the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Janajati Jeevika Mission 2.0 and the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of reservation in higher education and various initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Majhi reiterated that empowering tribal communities through quality education, sustainable livelihood opportunities, cultural preservation and inclusive development remains a key priority of his government.
