Modi to address Birsa Munda tribal event in Gadchiroli virtually on November 15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address an event in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on November 15. The event is part of the programmes marking the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. State minister Ashok Uike gave the information on Thursday.

Uike said the state government is observing 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda Gaurav Saptah' from November 11 to 18. According to him, its aim is to promote the social, educational, economic and cultural development of Scheduled Tribes. Tribal Development Minister Uike said Modi would address the state-level event in Gadchiroli district by video conference on November 15.

November 15 is observed every year across the country as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, in memory of Birsa Munda's birth anniversary. Birsa Munda was a tribal freedom fighter who led the fight against British rule. In connection with the anniversary, the BJP on Wednesday began a week-long programme across the country.

State minister Ashish Shelar said the Gaurav Saptah would include several welfare activities. These include distributing financial assistance to beneficiaries under the Nucleus Budget scheme, supporting women's self-help groups, holding cleanliness drives and illuminating memorials of tribal leaders.

According to Shelar, camps will be held on November 16 to help people obtain Aadhaar cards and other government documents. Awareness programmes on health and nutrition will be held on November 17. November 18 will be observed as Tribal Economic, Educational and Social Empowerment Day, with special programmes for women's self-help groups.

Shelar also listed steps the state government has taken for tribal communities in the past two years. He said more than 3,000 teachers have been hired on contract in tribal residential schools because of a ban on regular recruitment. Attendants have also been deployed in residential schools in tribal areas to look after children's health.

According to Shelar, a scholarship scheme for meritorious students has been launched in the name of tribal leader Veer Raghoji Bhangre. Coaching centres to prepare tribal students for competitive examinations have also been opened in every district.

A survey based on the 2011 Census has been carried out to estimate the population of tribal communities and their needs. Shelar also said the government has decided to set up university-level study centres for research on tribal culture, traditions and history.