Lucknow: The tribal community exemplifies sacrifice, loyalty and bravery for the nation, said chief minister Yogi Adityanath while inaugurating the Antarashtriya Janjati Bhagidari Utsav here on Friday. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he said that the tribal community is the original sect of India and a symbol of supreme loyalty towards the motherland. Yogi also invoked the ideals of tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda and said that his teachings inspire us to move forward in the direction of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
"The sacrifice, loyalty and bravery of the tribal community for the motherland serve as a profound source of inspiration. The tribal community, as India's original inhabitants, has consistently shown unwavering dedication in service to the nation," he said. Adding that the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda was rightly celebrated as National Tribal Pride Day, he said: "During foreign rule, Lord Birsa Munda fought bravely to protect the rights of his community and to seek freedom for the country. The PM's decision to celebrate his birthday as Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas, is a meaningful way to honour the sacrifice of Lord Birsa Munda across the country."
Referring to the festival, the CM said: "The Bhagidari Mahotsav that will see artists from 22 Indian states besides countries of Slovakia and Vietnam is a potent platform for tribal communities to showcase their art and traditions. This festival is a unique effort to celebrate the rich history, culture and preservation of tribal heritage." The CM emphasised his govt's efforts to empower tribal communities, saying that since his govt was formed in 2017, they prioritised the needs of these communities, which were previously overlooked by past administrations.
He highlighted efforts to connect tribal groups such as Tharu, Kol, Cheru, Gond and Buksa with essential govt schemes through a saturation plan, aiming to ensure that every individual in need receives support. "Our goal is to extend benefits to every eligible member of the tribal community," Yogi said, adding, "the tribal community has benefited from various programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, household toilets, LPG connections, old-age pensions, women's pensions and Divyangjan pension."
Yogi outlined the govt's ongoing efforts to preserve the culture and traditions of tribal communities. "Museums are being built to safeguard the art, traditions and heritage of tribal societies. One such grand museum, dedicated to the Tharu tribe's culture, was constructed in Balrampur, which I personally visited," he said. Emphasising the importance of staying connected to one's roots while embracing technology, he said that museums are also being constructed in areas like Sonbhadra and Bijnor, home to the Buksa tribe, to ensure that future generations remain familiar with their cultural heritage.
Underscoring that education was significant to expose tribal children to the modern world, the CM said: "Schools named after the legendary Eklavya are being set up in various regions to provide modern education for tribal children. Additionally, the ashram system schools are being used to further spread education within these communities."
Emphasising economic growth, Yogi said that access to various govt schemes is helping the tribal society move rapidly toward economic self-sufficiency. He then emphasised PM Modi's vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' stating that delivering the benefits of govt schemes to every section of society, without discrimination, is a top priority. He mentioned that under the guidance of the PM, the UP govt is working to improve the living standards of every needy person by connecting them to welfare programmes.
He added that to achieve the goal of "zero poverty", the campaign is underway to ensure that welfare schemes reach tribal communities, Scheduled Castes, extremely backward classes and other disadvantaged groups. Yogi acknowledged the vital role the tribal community has played in protecting the country's natural resources, even in challenging circumstances.
Minister of state for Scheduled Caste-Tribe Welfare (Independent charge) Asim Arun also spoke on the occasion in the presence of principal secretaries of culture and social welfare departments Mukesh Meshram and Hariom, besides others. The festival is taking place from Nov 15-20 at the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Gomtinagar, with artists from 22 Indian states, as well as from Slovakia and Vietnam, participating in the event.