Baripada: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated the state-level Adivasi Shakti Samabesh highlighting the significance of tribal culture and heritage at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district.
While showcasing the deep-rooted traditions of Odisha’s indigenous communities, the event also sought to affirm the state government’s commitment to their welfare.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stressed that tribal development will play a key role in achieving the vision of a prosperous Odisha over the next eleven years.
Highlighting the significance of tribal culture, Majhi said Odisha must transform into a prosperous region by 2036 by ensuring real empowerment of tribal people. To achieve this goal within eleven years, there is a need to focus on the development of tribal and Scheduled Caste communities, which make up 40 per cent of the population.
The Samabesh, organised at Chhau Ground in Baripada, brings together various tribal communities from across the state, allowing them to learn from and appreciate each other’s cultures. The primary aim of this gathering is to address the issues and needs of the tribal community. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing their education, health, and social security.
The soul of Odisha lies in its tribes, with nearly one-fourth of the state’s population belonging to various tribal communities. It is a matter of pride that seven tribal community MLAs from Mayurbhanj are currently representing this district. Today, a daughter from a common family in Mayurbhanj, who has faced numerous obstacles, holds the esteemed position of the President of India, bringing honour to the nation. Not only is she an inspiration for the tribal community in Mayurbhanj, but she also serves as a role model for women across the entire country.
The Chief Minister noted that Indian culture and tradition cannot be imagined without the contributions of tribal communities. He emphasised that the Odisha State Government, in collaboration with the Central Government, is dedicated to the welfare of the tribal community. The Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission aims to enhance the livelihood development of tribal communities in the state. As a result, the economic conditions of 145,000 tribal families have improved through initiatives in agriculture, irrigation, and animal husbandry. Additionally, 5,000 tribal youth and women have benefited from starting small enterprises, each receiving a support amount of Rs one lakh.
To facilitate the residential education of students, the government has allocated a total of Rs 732.48 crore for the financial year 2024. This funding is earmarked for the establishment of 83 new hostels for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, 23 hostels for Other Backward Classes, and 229 primary school hostels.
The Shahid Madho Singh Hath Kharch Yojana has been launched to make education more accessible at the secondary and higher secondary levels. An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been set aside for the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Adarsh Ashram Vidyalaya Yojana, aimed at transforming residential schools into modern educational institutions. This apart, the PM-Janman Yojana is being promoted in the state with the goal of establishing Odisha as a model for ‘Developed Odisha, Developed India’. This campaign will reach 294,712 people, particularly from the Backward Classes (PVTGs), across 1,679 villages in 14 districts.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government has laid the foundation stones for the Tribal Culture and Heritage Bhavan and the Tribal Language Institute, with budgets of Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 50 crore, respectively.
“Tribal empowerment is not merely a slogan or a tactic for gaining votes; for us it is a genuine commitment from our government,” said Majhi.
The Chief Minister also presented awards to individuals from various tribal communities who have made significant contributions to tribal folklore, culture, and tradition.
