Last Updated on November 16, 2026 12:45 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ had instilled new self-confidence among the poor, enabling crores of people to overcome poverty. Mr Modi was addressing the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme at Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, through video conferencing as part of the nationwide celebrations marking the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The Prime Minister said the government has devoted special attention and resources to the most backward tribal regions, which lacked basic amenities. He said over one lakh crore rupees had been allocated for the PM-JANMAN Yojana and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
Mr Modi said Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, which was first observed on 15th November 2021, has now become a national celebration. He said there was a time when many national occasions and festivals were viewed through a foreign perspective, but today, India is remembering its heritage, history and heroes with a sense of pride and self-respect. He described this as a significant shift in the country’s national consciousness.
The Prime Minister said two major achievements of the country are being widely discussed. He said nearly 50 crore people have overcome extreme poverty, while the country has also made significant progress in eliminating Naxalism and Maoist violence. Mr Modi said the government has placed special emphasis on regions that have lagged behind in development for a long time. Special campaigns have been launched across more than 100 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks, including areas with significant tribal populations. He added that, under the PM Krishi Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana, special attention is being given to 100 districts that are lagging behind in the agricultural sector.
Referring to a recent World Bank report stating that nearly 50 crore Indians had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 to 13 years, the Prime Minister described it as one of India’s major achievements since Independence. He said this progress was the result not of any single government but of the collective efforts of society, the hard work of citizens and targeted government initiatives, including schemes and measures for tribal welfare. Mr Modi also interacted with selected tribal beneficiaries during the programme.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 246 development projects worth around three thousand crore rupees. The projects aim to strengthen education, healthcare, livelihoods and community infrastructure for tribal communities across the country. He inaugurated 173 projects, including 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students and 100 Multipurpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). These centres will serve as hubs for service delivery and community activities.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools and 12 Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs). In addition, he inaugurated and launched several other projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, and laid the foundation stones for 42 projects under the two initiatives.
Mr Modi also inaugurated the Tribal Research Institute building at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum in Mizoram. These facilities aim to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage.
The programme marked the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, observed across the country from the 1st to the 15th of November.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also addressed the gathering in Gadchiroli.