Tribal identity, tribal society, tribal culture and customs have been an intrinsic part of the Indian struggle for independence. During the uprising when the British were brazenly trampling our Janjatiya Asmita, a fervour of self-assertion and patriotism ignited our tribal communities. This renaissance was a cornerstone of resistance which later forged into an iron wall against colonial atrocities. A warrior and ideologue in this nationalist thought and struggle was Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who demonstrated immense courage and sacrificed his life for the Maa and Maati at the young age of 25.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda: The Beacon of Tribal Pride and India’s Freedom Struggle
Bhagwan will always remain a symbol of courage, esteem, and unity. Since 2021, the Government of India has decided to commemorate his birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. Bhagwan Birsa Munda is a beacon of hope, that still shines and inspires Prime Minister Modi to undertake numerous programs for the development of tribal society. On November 15, 2023, during Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM JANMAN Yojana in Khunti, Jharkhand. This initiative aims to symbolise self-respect, dignity, and the welfare of the tribal community. [1]
PM JANMAN Yojana: Empowering Tribal Communities Across India
The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) was launched by PM Modi on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, with a dedicated portion of the budget being allocated for supporting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Substantial progress has been made under this initiative, with projects worth Rs.10,000 crore getting approved to empower the tribal people.
On September 17, 2024, during the Griha Pravesh ceremony in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, PM Modi handed over keys to beneficiaries of 40,000 houses constructed under PM-Janman and released the first instalment of assistance to 50,000 beneficiaries. On October 2 2024, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs.1,300 crore in Jharkhand, which includes the construction of more than 1,300 kilometres of roads, 120 Anganwadi centres, 250 multi-purpose centres, and 10 school hostels.[2]
With a substantial budget of more than Rs. 24,000 crore for FY 2023-24 to 2025-26, PM-JANMAN focuses on improving the quality of life for PVTG communities through targeted interventions involving 11 ministries.[3]. In FY 2023- 24, more than Rs.1,17,000 crore has been allocatedfor the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).[4]
A comprehensive IEC campaign was run in 2023 in 100 districts, covering 500 blocks and 15,000 PVTG habitations across 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A more intensive campaign is being envisaged to reach out to more than 44 lakh PVTG individuals andmore than10 lakh PVTG households of 194 districts spread across the country to facilitate beneficiaries from the PVTG community to receive Aadhar cards, Community certificates, Jan Dhan accounts, and pattas under Forest Rights Act (FRA), which later enabled them to get enrolled in other welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala, scholarships, maternity benefit schemes, Kisan Credit Card, Kisan Samman Nidhi, bringing them into the ambit of the welfare schemes of the government.[5]
Today, such campaigns and missions have been proved instrumental as a form of social and financial inclusion for the Janjatiya Samaj.[6] For instance, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, launched by PM Modi, aims to improve the living standards of more than 63,000 villages spread across aspirational and tribal-dominated districts with a budget of more than Rs 79,000 crore. This is intended to benefit more than 5 crore tribal population.[7]
The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) is an initiative that revamps the existing Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan, focusing on the integrated development of more than 36,000 villages with significant tribal populations.
This program targets essential sectors such as road and telecom connectivity, education, health services, and sanitation, all aimed at improving the living standards of tribal communities.
Under this scheme, specific villages have been identified to tackle issues related to road connectivity, mobile and internet access, educational facilities, Anganwadi centres, health sub-centres, drinking water supply, drainage systems, and solid waste management. Each village will receive Rs.20 lakh, with a total budget of more than Rs.7,000 crore planned for implementation by 2025-26. As of July 2024, plans for approximately 16,000 villages have been approved, and more than Rs.2,200 crore has already been disbursed for execution[8]
From Eklavya Schools to Tribal Museums: PM Modi’s Vision for Janjatiya Vikas
Pre and Post-Matric Scholarships are being provided to tribal students of grades IX and X, the scholarship is available for students from Economically weaker Sections with a parental income of up to Rs.2.5 lakhs, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their educational aspirations.[9]
Moreover, the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme has been working to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students from classes VI to XII. Under the new scheme, the government decided to establish one EMRS in every block with a population of more than 50% ST and at least 20,000 tribal persons. Accordingly, the target is to set up 728 EMRSs across the country by the year 2026.
The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) is designed to enhance tribal entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities by promoting the efficient and equitable use of natural resources, including agricultural products, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and non-farm enterprises. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has been serving as the central implementing agency for this initiative.
The mission supports the theme of “Vocal for Local by Tribal,” aiming to empower tribal communities through local resource utilisation. Under the PMJVM, the Ministry provides financial assistance for the procurement of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs) at Minimum Support Price (MSP), the development of infrastructure for MFP and non-MFP value chains, and value addition training programs through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
India is characterized by its rich tribal diversity, with over 730 Scheduled Tribal communities spread from the Himalayas to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These communities have a combined population of approximately 11 crore, representing about 8.9% of the total population.[10] Under the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas-Sabka Prayas’, which PM Modi has envisioned, with outreach, conversion, and saturation, the concerned ministries are working together for the welfare of the most vulnerable groups of the country.
In the last decade, the budget of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased three times to more than Rs 12,000 crore as compared to earlier, while the budget of tribal welfare has increased by 6 times.[11] Tribal research institutes are being established to promote research and documentation on tribal welfare, languages, traditions, and medicinal practices, while also organizing cultural festivals and exchange programs.[12]
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: Celebrating Tribal Heritage and Inclusive Growth
Be it the airport or tribal museum in Ranchi, that celebrates the legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda or a museum in Lemmasingi, Andhra Pradesh that bows down to the valorous tales of Alluri Sitarama Raju, there is now a canvas that showcases our rich tribal heritage, traditions and history and passes it over to the future generation of Bharat with utmost pride.[13] Today, we are celebrating Smt. Draupadi Murmu, as India’s first women tribal President, showcasing the honest intent ensuring a paradigm shift.[14]
In the last decade of governance, PM Modi has continued to make efforts to ensure inclusivity including the Jan Jatiya. Whether it is taking inspiration from Rani Gaidinliu of Manipur whom PM Modi revered and addresses as “Rani Maa”, Tatya Bheel and Bheema Nayak of Madhya Pradesh, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh of Chhattisgarh whose valour has enriched the great traditions of sacrifice continues to be the guiding lamp for future generations.
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1980691
[2] https://newindiasamachar.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/story/2024/Nov/S2024110121231.pdf
[3] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=152056&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2047979#:~:text=With%20an%20aim%20of%20reaching,Camps%20for%20the%20Pradhan%20Mantri
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2047979#:~:text=With%20an%20aim%20of%20reaching,Camps%20for%20the%20Pradhan%20Mantri
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2061196
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153376&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153376&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1#_ftn3
[10] https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153376&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1
[11] https://newindiasamachar.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/story/2024/Nov/S2024110121231.pdf
[12] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1831851
[13] https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1576031
[14] https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1576031
