Development of the tribals is the key to building a strong nation. Giving the tribal society their deserved respect and with the thought of their development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called on everyone to observe November 15 as Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas, enunciated Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal at the State-Level Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas celebration programme organized on the occasion of the birth anniversary of brave freedom fighter Birsa Munda at Dashamighat, Ambassa today. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Food, Civil Supplies & consumer Affairs Minister Manoj Kanti Deb, Tribal Welfare Minister Rampada Jamatia, MP Rebati Tripura, MLA Parimal Debbarma, MLA Sambhulal Chakma, Chairman of India Tourism Development Corporation Dr. Sambit Patra, Secretary of Tribal Welfare department L. T. Darlong, former Chairman of Tripura Khadi Board Rajib Bhattacharjee, Dhalai DM & Collector Dr. Sidharth Shiv Jaiswal and Dhalai district SP Ramesh Yadav were present in the programme.
The Union Minister has announced four schemes for welfare of the tribals of the state. These schemes are being funded by World Bank. These are Rural Economic Growth and Services Delivery Project, Pun Baniya- Credit linked based income generating goatery scheme, Wak Baniya- Credit linked based income generating piggery scheme and supplementary education for elementary classes.
The Union Minister said, recognition was not been given to the sacrifice of the tribals even in the last 75 years post Indian Independence. It is due to the earnest thoughts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tribal welfare that today Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas is being celebrated nationwide. He said, it is our duty to remember the contributions and sacrifice of Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda had sacrificed his life for the development and social awareness of the tribals. He also said, the central government and the Prime Minister is continuously working to ensure progress of tribals in education, agriculture and other sectors in order to build a strong nation.
Padmashri awardee Thanga Darlong and Satyaram Reang were felicitated in the programme. Respect was paid to Padmashri awardee Late Beni Chandra Jamatia and to those who have contributed in Indian freedom struggle against the British. Their families were felicitated in the programme.
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha in the programme said, this government is people’s government. That is why the government is committed to the development of the tribals and their culture. He said, birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Birsa Munda is a matter of pride. He had not only contributed in the Indian freedom struggle but also tirelessly worked towards generating social awareness among the tribals. The Chief Minister said, out of respect, the state government has banned use of the word Upajati to address the tribals. The name of the department has also been renamed as Janajati Kalyan Daptar. The Agartala Airport has been renamed after Late King of Tripura Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. He also said, proposal to increase TTAADC seat to 50 seats has been sent to the central government. As a result, 19 tribal communities of the state can work for their own community. The Chief Minister also mentioned, the process of Bru rehabilitation is progressing rapidly with the allotted 600 crore rupees from the central government to solve their long awaited problem. Samajpatis of tribal communities of the state are receiving social pension of 2 thousand rupees. The programme was followed by beautiful cultural performance.