Raipur, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in and inaugurated the Tribal Pride Day workshop at the Convention Hall, Civil Lines, Raipur. The workshop aims to preserve and promote the rich heritage, history, and culture of Chhattisgarh’s tribal communities.
Chief Minister Sai recalled that last year’s Tribal Pride Day workshop was widely celebrated, including a 10-kilometre foot march in Jashpur which featured traditional tribal attire and cultural displays and was attended by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the initiative and recommended similar annual events nationwide.
Referring to the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, Chief Minister Sai stated that Prime Minister Modi honoured the legacy of tribal heroes by instituting Tribal Pride Day. He also acknowledged former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for establishing the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, calling it a historic step for tribal upliftment.
Chief Minister Sai detailed the government’s developmental initiatives under schemes like PM Janman Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Dharti Aba Gram Utkarsh Yojana. These include the construction of 2,500 kilometres of roads and the approval of 32,000 Prime Minister’s houses in the state.
He also announced the establishment of a Tribal Museum in Nava Raipur, which will showcase the 14 tribal rebellions of Chhattisgarh and the life of martyr Veer Narayan Singh, reflecting the government’s commitment to preserving tribal heritage. He urged educators and academics to integrate tribal history and pride into school and college curricula to inspire future generations.
Higher Education Minister Tankram Verma stated that the workshop will highlight tribal traditions and history while formulating strategies for education, health, livelihoods, and employment for tribal communities. Tribal Development and Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam said the event would involve intellectuals and scholars to prepare actionable plans for the welfare of tribal society, aiming for a larger and more impactful celebration than last year.
Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap noted that over 70,000 people participated in last year’s event, sending a strong message across the country about Chhattisgarh’s commitment to tribal upliftment. Yogesh Bapat, General Secretary of the All India Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, praised Chief Minister Sai’s dedication to tribal development and urged the formulation of concrete plans to enhance tribal pride and self-reliance.
Among those present at the workshop were Dr S Bharathidasan, Secretary of Higher Education, Dr Saransh Mittal, Commissioner of Tribal Development, Vijay Dayaram K, Director of Employment and Training, Vice-Chancellors of various universities, and principals of leading colleges.