Jai Johar! Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat ji, the popular Chief Minister, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, President of Gujarat BJP Jagdish Vishwakarma ji, Ministers of the Gujarat government Nareshbhai Patel and Jayrambhai Gamit ji, my old colleague in Parliament Mansukhbhai Vasava ji, all members of the family of Bhagwan Birsa Munda present on the stage, my tribal brothers and sisters from every corner of the country who are part of this program, all other dignitaries, and many people connected with us through technology as several national programs are going on at this time. I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, and all of you on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Generally, when I come to you, I should speak in Gujarati, but since people from across the country are connected with this event, I will now have to speak in Hindi with your blessings and permission.
This sacred land of Mother Narmada is once again witnessing a historic event today. Just on 31st October, we celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel here. The Bharat Parv began to celebrate our unity and diversity, and today, with this grand ceremony marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, we are witnessing the culmination of Bharat Parv. On this holy occasion, I bow to Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the entire tribal region were inspired by the flame of independence lit by Govind Guru during the freedom movement. I bow to Govind Guru as well from this stage. A short while ago, I also had the privilege of having darshan of Devmogra Mata. I bow at her feet again. People talk about the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Ujjain Mahakal Corridor, the Ayodhya Ram Temple, the Kedarnath Dham. Over the last decade, many such religious and historical sites have been developed. But few would know that in 2003, when I came to Raliya Patan as Chief Minister for an event for the education of girls, I bowed at the feet of the Mother. And the condition was such that just a small hut-like place existed at that time. I can proudly say that among all the major development works I may have done in my life, the beginning happened with the development of the Devmogra Mata site. And when I visited the site today, I felt very happy to see that lakhs of people, especially our tribal brothers and sisters, now come there with immense devotion for the Mother.
Friends,
This region of Dediapada and Sagbara has long been inspired by the teachings of Kabir ji. And I am a Member of Parliament from Banaras, which is the land of Saint Kabir. Therefore, Saint Kabir naturally holds a special place in my life. I bow to him as well from this stage.
Friends,
Today, many projects related to the development of the country and the welfare of tribal communities have been inaugurated and their foundation stones laid. One lakh families here have been given permanent houses under PM-JANMAN and other schemes. A large number of Eklavya Model Schools and Ashram Schools have been inaugurated and their foundations laid. Shri Govind Guru Chair has also been established at Birsa Munda Tribal University. Many more projects related to health, roads, and transport have been launched. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, especially my tribal families of Gujarat and across the country, for all these development works, service initiatives, and welfare schemes.
Friends,
In 2021, we started celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). Tribal pride has been an integral part of Bharat’s consciousness for thousands of years. Whenever the nation’s honour, dignity, or self-rule were at stake, our tribal society stood at the forefront. Our freedom struggle is the biggest example of this. Numerous heroes and heroines from the tribal community, Tilka Manjhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Sidho-Kanhu, Bhairav Murmu, Budhu Bhagat, and inspirational figures like Alluri Sitarama Raju carried forward the torch of freedom. Similarly, so many brave warriors, including Tantya Bhil of Madhya Pradesh, Veer Narayan Singh of Chhattisgarh, Telanga Kharia of Jharkhand, Rupchand Konwar of Assam, and Laxman Naik of Odisha made immense sacrifices for freedom, fought tirelessly, and never allowed the British to sit in peace. The tribal community led countless revolutions and shed their blood for independence.
Friends,
Here in Gujarat as well, the tribal society has produced many such brave patriots. Govind Guru, who led the Bhagat Movement; Raja Roopsingh Nayak, who fought a long battle against the British in Panchmahal; Motilal Tejawat, who led the Eki Movement. And if you go to Pal Chitariya, you will find a memorial of the hundreds of tribals who were martyred there. An incident similar to Jallianwala Bagh took place at Pal Chitariya in Sabarkantha. Then there is our Dashriben Chaudhary, who took Gandhiji’s principles to the tribal society. So many chapters of our freedom struggle are filled with tribal pride and tribal valour.
Brothers and sisters,
We cannot forget the contribution of the tribal society to the freedom movement. After independence, this recognition should have been given to them, but due to the desire to give credit for independence to only a few families, the sacrifice, penance, and dedication of my tribal brothers and sisters were ignored. No one in the country truly remembered Bhagwan Birsa Munda before 2014, only the nearby villages spoke of him. We changed that because we wanted our next generation to know how big a gift my tribal brothers and sisters have given us by helping win us our freedom. And to preserve this legacy and remind future generations, we are building many Tribal Museums across the country. Here in Gujarat, a grand Tribal Museum is taking shape on 25 acres of land in Rajpipla itself. A few days ago, I visited Chhattisgarh, where I inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Museum. Similarly, in Ranchi, the very jail where Bhagwan Birsa Munda was imprisoned has now been transformed into a magnificent museum dedicated to him and the freedom movement of that era.
Friends,
Today, the Shri Govind Guru Chair has been established as a Tribal Language Promotion Centre. Here, studies will be conducted on the dialects of all tribal communities such as Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Kokni, Santhal, Rathwa, Nayak, Dabla, Chaudhary, Kokna, Kumbi, Warli, Dodiya, and many others. Their stories and songs will be preserved. The tribal society holds an immense treasure of knowledge acquired from the experiences of thousands of years. Science is embedded in their lifestyle, philosophy is hidden in their stories, and their language holds a deep understanding of the environment. The Shri Govind Guru Chair will help connect the new generation with this rich tradition.
Friends,
The occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas also reminds us of the injustice that was done to crores of our tribal brothers and sisters. The Congress, which ruled the country for six decades, left the tribal communities to fend for themselves. Tribal regions suffered from malnutrition, lack of health security, absence of education, and no connectivity whatsoever. These shortcomings became the identity of tribal regions. And the Congress governments simply sat idle.
But friends,
Tribal welfare has always been the highest priority for the BJP. We have always moved forward with the resolve to end the injustices faced by tribal communities and to bring development benefits to them. The country may have gained independence in 1947, but the tribal society has been connected with Lord Ram since ancient times and their history is much older. Yet those who ruled for six decades did not even realize the need to work for the development of such a large tribal community.
Friends,
A separate ministry for tribal affairs was created for the first time in the country when Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister for the first time and the BJP formed the government. Before that, no such ministry existed. But after the fall of Atal ji’s government, when Congress once again got ten years to govern, they neglected this ministry and completely ignored it. You can imagine that the Congress allocated only a few thousand crores of rupees for tribal welfare in 2013. Just a few thousand crores! In one district, even a thousand crores are not enough to get work done. After our government came to power, we made a significant increase, took care of tribal interests, and expanded the budget of the Tribal Affairs Ministry. Today, we have taken responsibility for the development of tribal regions by increasing this budget many-fold. We are trying to move forward in every sector whether it is education, health, or connectivity.
Friends,
There was a time when the situation in the tribal regions of Gujarat was not good. The condition was such that not a single science-stream school existed across the entire tribal belt, not even one science school from Ambaji to Umargam. In areas like Dediapada and Sagbara, students did not get opportunities for higher studies. I remember, when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I started the Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav from Dediapada itself. At that time, many children would meet me, and they had big dreams. Some wanted to become doctors, engineers, and scientists. I would explain to them that education is the only path. I assured them that we would remove whatever obstacles stood in the way of their dreams.
Friends,
We worked day and night to bring change. As a result, today there are more than 10,000 schools in the tribal belt of Gujarat where there was not even a single science-stream school before I became Chief Minister. Over the last two decades, two dozen science colleges have been established in tribal areas along with commerce and arts colleges. The BJP government built hundreds of hostels for tribal children. In Gujarat, we also established two tribal universities. Because of such efforts, major changes took place here. Today, some of the children who met me with dreams 20 years ago are doctors, engineers, and some are working in research fields.
Friends,
We are working day and night to ensure a bright future for tribal children. In the past 5–6 years alone, the Central Government has spent more than 18,000 crore rupees on Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students across the country. Necessary facilities for girl students have been provided in these schools. As a result, the number of tribal children taking admission in these schools has increased by 60 percent.
Friends,
When tribal youth get opportunities, they have the strength to excel in every field. They inherit courage, hard work, and talent from their tradition and heritage. Today, the examples in the sports world are in front of everyone. Tribal sons and daughters have played a major role in raising the glory of the national flag across the world! Until recently, we all knew names like Mary Kom, Thonakal Gopi, Dutee Chand, and Bhaichung Bhutia. Now, new players are emerging from tribal regions in every major competition. Recently, Bharat’s women’s cricket team created history by winning the Women’s World Cup. And a daughter from our tribal society also played an important role in that victory. Our government is continuously working to identify new talent in tribal areas and to promote them. Sports facilities are also being expanded in tribal regions.
Friends,
Our government works with the vision of giving priority to the deprived. A very big example of this is our Narmada district. Earlier, it was not separate as it was part of Bharuch district and partly part of Surat district. And this entire region was once considered backward. We gave it priority, we made this district an Aspirational District, and today it has advanced greatly on many development parameters. This has greatly benefited the tribal community living here. You have seen that we launch many central government schemes by going directly to tribal-majority states and deprived communities. You may remember the Ayushman Bharat scheme for free medical treatment was launched in 2018. We launched this scheme from the tribal region of Ranchi in Jharkhand. And today, crores of tribal brothers and sisters in the country are getting up to 5 lakh rupees of free medical treatment under this scheme. The government also began the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative from tribal-majority Chhattisgarh. This too has benefited the tribal community immensely.
Friends,
Among the tribal communities, our government is giving special priority to the most backward groups. In regions where, even decades after independence, there was no electricity, water supply, roads, or hospitals, we launched the PM-JANMAN Yojana from Khunti in Jharkhand to develop these areas. I had gone to the village of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Applying that sacred soil on my forehead, I took a pledge for the welfare of tribal communities. I am a person who has moved forward with that commitment. I was the first Prime Minister to visit the home of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and even today, I maintain a deep relationship with his family members. Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, 24,000 crore rupees is being spent.
Friends,
The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkash Abhiyan is also writing a new chapter in the development of backward tribal villages. More than 60,000 villages across the country have joined this campaign so far. Among these, thousands of villages have received tap drinking water for the first time ever. And tele-medicine facilities have begun in hundreds of villages. Under this campaign, Gram Sabhas have been made the centre of development. Community-based plans on health, education, nutrition, agriculture, and livelihoods are being prepared for villages. This campaign shows that when we resolve to achieve something, even the most impossible goals become possible.
Friends,
Our government is working by keeping in mind every aspect of the lives of tribal communities. We increased the number of minor forest produce items eligible for MSP from 20 to almost 100, and also increased the MSP rates. Our government is strongly promoting Shree Anna, which is benefiting our tribal brothers and sisters engaged in farming in tribal regions. In Gujarat, we started the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana for you. This gave you new economic strength. I remember that when I started this scheme, people from different tribal regions came to thank me and bless me for months. It was such a transformative scheme. I am happy that Bhupendrabhai is expanding the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, and now it is being presented to you with new and extended programs as the Janjatiya Kalyan Yojana.
Brothers and sisters,
Sickle cell disease has been a major threat within our tribal communities. To fight this, the number of dispensaries, medical centres, and hospitals in tribal regions has been increased. A national-level campaign is also underway to tackle sickle cell disease. Under this initiative, 6 crore tribal brothers and sisters have already been screened across the country.
Friends,
Under the New National Education Policy, education in local languages is also being made available. Earlier, many children from tribal communities lagged behind only because of language barriers. Now, by studying in their own local languages, they are progressing themselves and also contributing more and more to the nation’s development.
Friends,
Our tribal society in Gujarat also has an extraordinary wealth of art. Their paintings and artworks are unique in themselves. A daughter here is sitting with a painting. It seems she has brought it for me. SPG personnel, please take it from the daughter. I can see some Warli painting in it. Thank you, child. If your address is available with it, I will write you a letter. Thank you very much. Artistic expression is natural here. Artists like our Pareshbhai Rathwa are taking these art forms forward. It gives me satisfaction that our government has honoured Pareshbhai Rathwa with the Padma Award.
Friends,
Proper participation in democracy is equally important for the progress of any society. That is why our goal is to ensure that our tribal brothers and sisters reach high positions in the country and lead the nation. Look, today the President of the country is a tribal woman. Similarly, the BJP and the NDA have always made efforts to elevate talented members of the tribal community to top positions. Today, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, our tribal brother Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, is transforming the state. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi is driving the development of Odisha with the blessings of Lord Jagannath. In Arunachal Pradesh, our tribal brother Pema Khandu is serving as the Chief Minister. In Nagaland, our tribal brother Neiphiu Rio is also serving. We have appointed tribal Chief Ministers in several states. In many state assemblies, our party has appointed tribal Speakers. Mangubhai Patel from our Gujarat is the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. In our central government, Sarbananda Sonowal comes from a tribal community and is handling the entire Shipping Ministry. He once served as the Chief Minister of Assam.
Friends,
The service these leaders have given to the nation, the contribution they have made to the country’s development is incomparable and unprecedented.
Friends,
Today our country possesses the strength of the mantra “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with all, development for all). This very mantra has transformed the lives of crores of people in recent years. This mantra has strengthened the unity of our nation. And this mantra has connected the tribal communities, who had been neglected for decades, with the mainstream. It not just connected them, but enabled them to lead society as a whole. Therefore, on the sacred occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, we must resolve to strengthen the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” Let no one be left behind in development, let no one be excluded from it. This alone is the true tribute at the feet of Dharti Aaba. I am confident that together we will move forward and fulfil the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). With this resolve, once again I extend my best wishes to all of you on Tribal Pride Day. And I want to say to all citizens that Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas carries the fragrance of our soil. It carries within it the traditions of our tribal communities who have preserved the country’s cultural heritage. It carries their strength, their courage, and their aspirations for the coming era. Therefore, we must always celebrate November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas with great honour in every corner of the country. We must move forward with new strength, with renewed confidence, and stay connected to Bharat’s roots as we achieve new heights. With this belief, thank you very much.
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
We all know that Vande Mataram has completed 150 years. It represents Bharat’s great inspiration, its long journey, its long struggle. In every way, Vande Mataram has become a mantra. We are celebrating 150 years of it. Say it with me—
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Thank you very much.
