Gadchiroli: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised previous governments over their approach towards tribal communities, saying they neither understood their concerns nor cared about their welfare. Addressing the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme virtually from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, he highlighted his government’s initiatives for tribal development and said efforts had been made to ensure that tribal communities received their rights and access to basic facilities.
The programme marked the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. During the interaction, tribal beneficiaries from different parts of the country shared their experiences of government schemes and spoke about the changes these initiatives had brought to their lives.
PM Modi Cites Bamboo Restrictions to Target Previous Governments
During the interaction, Modi spoke to Vajir from Hathakundi village in Gujarat’s Bharuch district, who shared his experience of receiving bamboo-related training under the New Gujarat Pattern Yojana in 2004. He also spoke about the benefits he had received through various initiatives under the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Responding to him, the Prime Minister recalled restrictions imposed during British rule on cutting bamboo. He said the British had classified bamboo as a tree, making its cutting punishable, and criticised previous governments for not removing the restriction after Independence.
“Vajir ji, you are likely aware that the British devised a major ploy by classifying bamboo as a ‘tree’; consequently, anyone who cut bamboo would be thrown into jail. This law should have been abolished after independence. However, regrettably, some individuals in the previous governments neither understood the tribal communities nor cared about them,” Modi said.
He added that his government had removed the restriction and ensured that tribal communities received rights over bamboo.
PM-JANMAN Beneficiary Shares How Permanent House Changed His Life
During the interaction, Krishna Nagorao Teka, a beneficiary of the PM-JANMAN scheme from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, spoke about the difficulties his family faced before receiving government assistance.
He said their living conditions became particularly difficult during the rainy season, while insects and pests also created problems inside their house. Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, his family received a permanent house, a toilet and other facilities.
Teka thanked the Prime Minister and said the assistance had helped his family overcome several difficulties.
Responding to him, Modi said he was pleased that the PM-JANMAN Mission was bringing changes to the lives of tribal families. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that development reached villages without communities losing their cultural heritage.
Student Thanks PM Modi for PM SHRI Schools Initiative
Another participant, Sabavat Anvesh from Hyderabad, thanked the Prime Minister for the PM SHRI Schools initiative, formally known as Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India.
He said the initiative was helping students pursue higher education. The interaction was part of the broader Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme, which highlighted tribal contributions to India’s history and initiatives focused on education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities.
PM Modi Inaugurates and Launches Projects Worth Around Rs 3,000 Crore
During the programme, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 246 development projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The projects are aimed at strengthening education, healthcare, livelihoods and community infrastructure for tribal communities across the country.
Of the 246 projects, 173 were inaugurated. These included 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
Other projects inaugurated included the Tribal Research Institute building in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Aizawl, Mizoram. The initiatives aim to preserve tribal history, culture and heritage.
New Eklavya Schools and Tribal Marketing Centres Announced
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools to expand access to quality education for tribal children.
In addition, foundation stones were laid for 12 Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) to improve market access for tribal producers and strengthen livelihood opportunities.
Another 42 projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) were also included in the foundation stone-laying programme.
The event marked the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, observed across the country from November 1 to 15. The fortnight-long programme featured activities highlighting the contribution of tribal communities and initiatives aimed at their development.