Raipur, Nov 20: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday graced the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations organised by the Government of Chhattisgarh, underscoring the invaluable contributions of tribal communities to India’s democratic and cultural heritage.

Tribal Traditions and Democracy

Addressing the gathering, the President said that tribal communities have played a glorious role in India’s history, citing examples from ancient republics and traditions such as the Muria Darbar in Bastar, which functioned as a people’s parliament. She emphasised that tribal heritage is deeply rooted across regions including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

Government Initiatives for Tribal Welfare

The President highlighted several national-level schemes launched in recent years to uplift tribal communities. She mentioned the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, launched on Gandhi Jayanti last year, which aims to benefit over 50 million tribal citizens. She also referred to the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), introduced in 2023 for the socio-economic development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Further, she noted the launch of the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan during the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. This initiative is building a network of nearly 20 lakh volunteers to support grassroots development efforts for tribal communities.

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Moving Beyond Extremism

The President expressed satisfaction that people across Chhattisgarh and other states are increasingly abandoning the path of Left Wing Extremism and joining the mainstream of development. She credited coordinated efforts by central and state governments for this positive change and expressed confidence that extremism would be eradicated in the near future.

Bastar Olympics and Tribal Icons

President Murmu also lauded the participation of over 165,000 people in the recently held Bastar Olympics, calling it a symbol of unity and progress. She urged citizens to follow the ideals of tribal icons to contribute towards building a strong, self-reliant, and developed India.