Gujarat to Launch ‘Johar Cafes’ and Land Rights for Tribal Communities

Gandhinagar, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Gujarat government is set to provide land ownership documents to over 18,000 tribal beneficiaries this year. This initiative coincides with a week-long celebration of the 151st birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, during which 14 ‘Johar Cafes’ will be inaugurated to promote local tribal cuisine and products.

These events are part of the ‘National Tribal Pride Day’ celebrations, taking place from November 12 to 18. Weekly markets in 14 tribal districts will feature ‘Shabari booths’, designed to disseminate information about government schemes and support the sale of organic products.

At a press conference in Gandhinagar, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel emphasized that the distribution of land ownership documents aims to fulfill a longstanding demand from the tribal community. On November 15, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, along with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi and other ministers, will inaugurate or lay the foundation for development projects exceeding ₹2,300 crore.

The 14 ‘Johar Cafes’ will serve as venues to promote local products, while the ‘Shabari booths’ will facilitate the marketing of organic goods and provide information on welfare schemes.

Patel noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration of November 15 as ‘Tribal Pride Day’ recognizes the contributions of tribal revolutionaries. He referenced Birsa Munda’s fight against British rule to protect water, forests, and land, which he led at just 25 years old.

The state government plans to erect statues of Birsa Munda in the 14 tribal districts and municipal areas where none currently exist. Key roads, traffic intersections, and hostels for tribal students will also be named in his honor.

Highlighting the government’s tribal development initiatives, Patel stated that the ‘Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana’, which began in 2007 with a budget of ₹15,000 crore, has now grown to ₹2 lakh crore. Tribal students are now studying in prestigious medical, engineering, and IIT institutions.

Gujarat BJP’s Tribal Front President Ganpat Vasava mentioned that these events are organized under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the state party organization. The aim is to spread Birsa Munda’s message of “Our Land, Our Governance” throughout Gujarat.

The week-long festivities will encompass 14 tribal districts, all 34 districts in the state, and 55 assembly constituencies across 17 municipalities. The program commenced on November 12 with a press conference at state, district, and municipal levels. On November 13, meetings will be held in the 55 assembly constituencies, each expected to draw around 500 youths to discuss Birsa Munda’s life and contributions.

On November 14, from 9 AM to 11 AM, cleanliness drives will be conducted around Birsa Munda’s statues. Following this, local saints, religious leaders, and heads of religious institutions will be honored from 11 AM to 1 PM. In the evening, over 4,500 tribal gram panchayats will share their histories, and special prayers will be held in 12 to 13 tribal languages, with households lighting lamps.

Public gatherings will take place on November 15 across the 14 tribal districts, 20 non-tribal districts, and 17 municipalities, attended by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and cabinet members. A conference featuring retired officials, doctors, engineers, lawyers, and prominent tribal community members is planned for November 16. Traditional sports competitions will follow on November 17, leading to meetings for tribal women on November 18, with around 500 participating from each assembly constituency.