Jamui (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a series of development projects worth ₹6,640 crore at a function held in Bihar’s Jamui district on November 15. The event coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter, which is also celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
The event was also planned strategically in Jamui, bordering Jharkhand, where the 2nd phase of polling for the assembly elections is due on November 20. Voting in as many as 38 constituencies out of the total 81 will happen in the second and final phase. A section of leaders said that the event was planned on the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda with an apparent intent to invoke the tribal sentiments.
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PM Modi unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp to honour Munda’s legacy. Birsa Munda is widely celebrated for his leadership in the tribal freedom movement and his tireless fight for the rights and dignity of tribal communities in India.
On the occasion, Modi also attended virtually the ‘Grih Pravesh’ ceremony for 11,000 newly built homes under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). This initiative aims to provide dignified housing to tribal families in remote regions.
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As many as 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) were also flagged off by the PM to improve healthcare access in these underserved tribal areas. Another 30 MMUs were introduced as part of the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), further bolstering healthcare infrastructure.
During his speech, Modi lambasted the previous Congress-led governments for neglecting the tribal community and alleged that the tribals were left disadvantaged for decades after Independence. “Today is a historic day for every citizen, as we celebrate Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali, and the 500th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. But most importantly, today marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all, especially my tribal brothers and sisters, on Tribal Pride Day,” Modi said.
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The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of tribal welfare under the BJP-led NDA government, stating that tribal development has been a top priority. He highlighted the efforts of the government to uplift tribal communities, attributing their historical marginalisation to past administrations’ indifference.
He said that the welfare of tribal communities has been at the forefront of our policies since the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the PM. “We launched the ₹24,000 crore JanMan Yojana for the most backward tribal groups. Today, houses are being built for them, and roads are being constructed to connect them to the broader society,” he stated.
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The Prime Minister also underlined the creation of a dedicated ministry for tribal welfare under the BJP-led NDA government, with funding for tribal development rising from ₹25,000 crore to ₹1,25,000 crore. He also said that the launch of the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, aimed at developing 60,000 tribal villages. “In the coming years, ₹80,000 crore will be invested to connect tribal areas with the mainstream, providing training for youth and promoting eco-tourism in tribal regions,” he added.
He said that a network of Eklavya schools would be created to offer medical, engineering, and other professional education to tribal students in their native languages. Explaining the significance of commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, PM Modi said it was a long-overdue effort to honour Munda’s immense contributions to the nation’s development, which had been neglected for decades after Independence.
