Prime Minister Modi Highlights Tribal Welfare and the Impact of Naxalite Violence

Gadchiroli, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the Tribal Pride Day event in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, on November 15. During his address, he emphasized the government’s commitment to tribal welfare.

Modi noted the significant progress made in recent years, stating, “The decisions and plans implemented by the central government for tribal welfare have played a crucial role. The large number of people rising out of poverty marks a substantial transformation. This change is a long journey towards fulfilling a major resolution. Today, India can demonstrate how such resolutions can be achieved, instilling confidence in every Indian.”

He highlighted the government’s focus on prioritizing those who have long been deprived of development. “As our resolutions are being realized, a series of positive changes are unfolding. Our government has dedicated substantial resources to develop the most backward tribal areas, where basic facilities were previously unavailable. We have allocated over one lakh crore rupees for initiatives like the PM Janman Scheme and the Dharati Aba Tribal Village Utkars Campaign,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed the urgency of delivering services to families that have historically received the least support since independence. “Our priority has been to give preference to the marginalized. We have built over 4 million permanent homes for impoverished families and provided electricity to 18,000 villages that lacked power even decades after independence. Through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, we offer free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees, and more than 175,000 Ayushman Health Centers have been established to benefit remote tribal areas,” Modi added.

He also pointed out the government’s special focus on regions that have lagged in development. “We have launched targeted campaigns in over 100 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks to ensure development and protect citizens’ rights, particularly in areas with significant tribal populations. The PM Kisan scheme is specifically addressing agricultural needs in the 100 most backward districts, aiming to create new opportunities for farmers and tribal communities,” he said.

Modi remarked on the severe impact of Naxalite violence on tribal societies. “The tribal community knows that Naxalite violence has caused the most harm to them. In 2014, around 125 districts were afflicted by Maoism and Naxalism, leading to hundreds of violent incidents annually, resulting in thousands of innocent lives lost, many of whom were from tribal backgrounds. Previously, these individuals were abandoned by the governments of that time, stripped of their rights and left voiceless.”

He further added, “Tribal brothers and sisters were often denied the right to vote. Past governments turned a blind eye while Maoists abducted children from impoverished families. Today, as Maoism and Naxalism decline, tribal mothers and sisters are offering their blessings to us. Those whose childhoods were stolen are now joining us as empowered youth.”

Modi concluded by recalling a recent celebration of Diwali with security forces in the once-feared Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. “This Diwali, hope illuminated the Naxal-affected areas, including Gadchiroli. Today, the tribal community is actively contributing to the nation’s progress, and we take pride in having a daughter of the tribal community, President Droupadi Murmu, leading our country.”