New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi fiercely targeted the previous governments on the occasion of Tribal Pride Day on Sunday. He said that the previous governments neither understood the tribal society nor cared about their welfare. PM Modi said that his government has worked to provide their rights to the tribals and to provide basic facilities to every village.
The Prime Minister said this in a program organized in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra on the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. During this, he had virtual conversations with tribal beneficiaries from across the country. The beneficiaries told how much the government schemes have changed their lives.
Previous governments cornered over bamboo law
During the conversation, PM Modi talked to the Wazir of Bharuch district of Gujarat. Wazir told that he had taken training in bamboo work in 2004 and he has benefited a lot from the PM-JANMAN scheme. On this, PM Modi said that the British had played a big trick on the tribals by calling bamboo a tree. Cutting bamboo could even lead to jail.
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrates the rich heritage, culture and contributions of India's tribal communities. https://t.co/jaafdnMJ6n
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2026
Modi said that this law should have been abolished after independence, but the previous governments did not remove it. His government abolished this law as soon as it came to power and ensured the tribals' full rights over bamboo.
Beneficiaries said after getting permanent house
Krishna Nagarao Teka of Yavatmal, Maharashtra told that earlier it was very difficult to live in the rain. Insects also troubled me. Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, they got permanent houses, toilets and other facilities. On this, PM Modi said that he is happy that this mission is changing the lives of tribal families. Sabavat Anvesh from Hyderabad thanked PM Modi for PM SHRI schools. He said that this initiative is helping students in getting higher education.
Inauguration of projects worth Rs 3000 crore
During the program, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 246 development projects worth about Rs 3000 crore. These include 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students and 100 Multi-Purpose Centers under PM-JANMAN. Apart from this, he also laid the foundation of 19 new Eklavya schools and 12 Tribal Multi-Purpose Marketing Centres. Tribal Research Institute in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh and Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Aizawl, Mizoram were also inaugurated. The event was organized at the conclusion of the Tribal Pride Fortnight observed from 1 to 15 November, which was aimed at honoring the contribution of the tribal society.