Raipur, November 15, 2024: On the occasion of **Tribal Pride Day**, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai unveiled several initiatives to honor and uplift the tribal community of Chhattisgarh. The state-level event, held at the Science College Grounds, celebrated the rich heritage and contributions of tribal communities with an array of announcements, honors, and developmental initiatives.
### **Major Announcements:**
1. **Chief Minister’s Honor Fund:**
Special annual financial assistance of ₹5,000 was announced for **Baiga**, **Gunia**, and **Sirha** tribal groups to support their traditional roles in society.
2. **Development of Akharas:**
A new scheme for constructing **”Akhara” centers** in tribal villages for religious and cultural activities was introduced.
3. **Statues of Tribal Heroes:**
Memorials and statues of tribal martyrs and freedom fighters will be installed at identified sites to commemorate their contributions.
4. **Focus on Tribal Upliftment:**
The Chief Minister highlighted the **”PM Jan Man Yojana”** and **”Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan”**, with allocated budgets of ₹24,000 crore and ₹80,000 crore respectively, aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and improving living standards in tribal regions.
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### **Event Highlights:**
– **Tribute to Tribal Freedom Fighters:**
Relatives of tribal martyrs and freedom fighters were honored for their sacrifices during the independence movement and tribal uprisings.
– **Art and Literature:**
Winners of a tribal art competition were awarded, and the Chief Minister released publications, including an **Atlas on Forest Rights Act**, a calendar titled **”Shauryanjali”**, and a book on **”Halba Tribal Oral Traditions”** by the Tribal Welfare Department.
– **Cultural Festivities:**
The program included the **Interstate Tribal Dance Festival**, which showcased India’s cultural unity under the theme “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India).
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### **Acknowledgements and Remarks:**
– **State Dignitaries:**
Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh praised the inclusive policies of CM Vishnu Dev Sai and commended his leadership in promoting the welfare of all communities in the state.
– **Central Government Initiatives:**
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a virtual address, lauded the tribal community’s contributions to India’s culture and independence struggle. He emphasized the government’s commitment to increasing the budget for tribal welfare fivefold in the last decade, now standing at ₹1.25 lakh crore.
– **PM’s Remarks on Tribal Contributions:**
Modi acknowledged the role of tribal communities in preserving India’s heritage and their sacrifices in the freedom movement. He announced initiatives like **Birsamunda Tribal Gardens** in districts to honor their legacy.
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### **Significance of Tribal Pride Day:**
The event marked the **150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda**, a revered tribal leader and freedom fighter. It coincided with other significant celebrations such as **Kartik Purnima**, **Dev Deepawali**, and **Guru Nanak Jayanti**, further enriching the occasion’s spiritual and cultural essence.
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### **Conclusion:**
The two-day celebration in Raipur witnessed the active participation of senior officials, tribal leaders, and the general public. It reaffirmed the state’s commitment to preserving the identity, culture, and development of its tribal communities, ensuring that their contributions to India’s history are celebrated and remembered.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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