PM Modi inaugurates ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ in Delhi
17 Feb 2023 09:15:27
Delhi Bureau & Agencies
NEW DELHI,
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that the country is working for the tribal population with a pride that was not seen earlier, stressing that their welfare is a matter of “personal relations and sentiments” for him.
Modi inaugurated ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, a mega national tribal festival to showcase the tribal culture on a large scale, and listed steps taken by his Government since 2014 to boost progress of the community.
He also paid floral tribute to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. For the first time, a tribal in Draupadi Murmu has occupied the top constitutional post in the country, he said, adding the budgetary allocation for the community has risen manifold since 2014. He called upon the people of Delhi and neighbouring states to visit the festival to witness the rich tribal culture and nutritious food products being showcased from across the country. Let’s ensure that they sell all their products, the Prime Minister said.
The Government is now going from Delhi to those considered remote and bringing them in the mainstream, he said.
Tribals played a big role in India’s freedom movement but attempts were made for decades to ignore these golden chapters and the sacrifices made by men and women from the community, he said, adding his government is now bringing them to light in the “Amrit Kaal”.
Modi said his Government has worked to boost the demand for tribal products, noting that over 1.25 crore tribals, especially women, are part of over 80 lakh self help groups across the country. “Aadi Mahotsav celebrates India’s glorious tribal culture and traditions. It is taking our strength of ‘unity in diversity’ to new heights. It makes our idea of ‘vikas and virasat’ livelier,” he said. Modi recalled his long association and work among the tribal community as he worked in different capacities, starting from a RSS pracharak to BJP organisation leader and then heading government first in Gujarat and then at the Centre, and said their welfare has been a matter for personal relations and sentiments for him.