Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the mega National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the national capital on Thursday.
“In the last eight to nine, events like Aadi Mahotsav that are connected to the tribal community have become a campaign for the country. I myself have become a part of several such programmes. The tribal community’s development and welfare is also a matter of personal relations and sentiments for me,” said PM Modi after inaugurating the mega National Tribal Festival at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here. The Prime Minister said that in Gujarat too, he had spent his life’s formative years serving his Adivasi brothers and sisters in the entire tribal belt from Umargam to Ambika ji “Their lifestyle taught me about our culture, traditions, and heritage a lot,” PM Modi said.
“Tribal products should reach maximum market, their recognition should increase, their demand should increase, the government is continuously working in this direction as well,” PM Modi said.
The prime minister also highlighted that now over 3000 ‘Van Dhan Vikas Kendras’ have been established in different states of the country.
“More than 3000 ‘Van Dhan Vikas Kendras’ have been established in different states of the country. Today the government is giving MSP on about 90 minor forest products,” he said.
“Today, more than 80 lakh self-help groups are working in different states, in which more than 1.25 crore members are our tribal brothers and sisters and a large number of them are our mothers and sisters,” he further added.
He said that over the last eight to nine years, events like ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ that are connected to the tribal community had become a campaign for the country.
PM Modi said that 21st-century India is walking on the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and the Aadi Mahotsav signifies this spirit.
“When diversities are woven into a thread of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, India’s grandness emerges before the world. This Aadi Mahotsav signifies this spirit,” said PM Modi.
He emphasised that the demand for the products made by the tribal society of India is increasing continuously and these are being exported to foreign countries.
“We get inspiration from our tribal society on how we can conserve it by taking resources from nature. The demand for the products made by the tribal society of India is increasing continuously and these are being exported to foreign countries,” he said.
He said that the government’s emphasis is on promoting tribal arts and enhancing the skills of tribal youth.
“Today the emphasis of the government is also on promoting tribal arts and enhancing the skills of tribal youth. New tribal research institutes are being opened in the country. These efforts are creating new opportunities for the tribal youth in their own area,” PM Modi said.
“PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana has been launched in this year’s budget which will provide financial assistance, skill training, and marketing support. It will also provide new employment opportunities for tribal,” he added.
Speaking about his government’s commitment to tribal development PM Modi said that the education of tribal children is of utmost importance.
“Tribal children may be in any corner of the country, their education and their future is my priority. Between 2004 and 2014 only 90 Eklavya Schools were opened whereas from 2014 to 2022 we have approved more than 500 Eklavya Schools,” he said.
“Out of these, studies have started in more than 400 schools and more than one lakh tribal students have started studying in these schools,” he added.
He added, “Language barrier is a big issue for Adivasi children. But the New Education Policy opens doors for mother tongue education. Adivasis can now learn in their own language and progress.”
He also presented flowers to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda, a Munda tribe member, was born on November 15, 1875.
During British rule in the late nineteenth century, he led an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand’s tribal belt.
In the country, his birth anniversary is known as Birsa Munda Jayanti, and it coincides with Jharkhand Foundation Day.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Aadi Mahotsav, which celebrates the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce, and traditional art, is an annual initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited (TRIFED). It will be held this year from the 16th to the 27th of February at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.
Over 200 stalls at the venue will showcase the rich and diverse heritage of tribes from across the country.
The Mahotsav is attended by approximately 1000 tribal artisans.
“Since 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, along with usual attractions like handicrafts, handloom, pottery, jewellery etc, a special focus in the Mahotsav will be on showcasing Shree Anna grown by tribals,” the PMO statement said.
