President Droupadi Murmu To Lead Janjatiya Gaurav Divas Celebrations

Commemorating the contributions of tribal communities in the nation's history and culture, President Droupadi Murmu will lead the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in November this year.

This was announced by the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda at a media briefing in New Delhi on 12 November.

Munda also stated that on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15 November, President Murmu will visit Ulihatu village in Khunti district of Jharkhand, which is the birth place of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and pay floral tributes there.

President Murmu will inaugurate projects of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Power and also lay the foundation stone of several Eklavya Schools, virtually from Khunti. 

She will also address women Self Help Group (SHG) members of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in and around Khunti.

The Union Minister further informed that the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar will pay floral tributes at the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Parliament Complex on 15 November along with other parliamentarians.

Munda said that a large number of national and state level programmes are being organised to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas from 15 November to 22 November.

Munda also informed that events and programmes have been planned from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh including in villages and remote areas.

He stated that several programmes such as organization of marches of youth and performances by tribal artists across states in state capitals; cultural programmes; organization of seminars/workshops; essay, songs, dance, sport, and painting competitions, Swachhta campaigns etc., have also been planned across the country in coordination with state governments and State Tribal Research Institutes(STRI).

Munda also stated that the government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to commemorate the contributions of tribal communities in the nation's history and culture.

He added that this is the second year when Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is being celebrated. This day is also observed to honour all the tribal freedom fighters and to re-energise the efforts for the socio-economic development of the tribal regions and communities.

Munda appealed that more and more people should be made aware about the celebration and should be involved in the celebrations. He also added that work is moving swiftly towards completion of 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the country.

Munda said that celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is a step towards making a resolve to provide basic amenities, employment, education to the tribal people living in remote areas, villages when the country will complete 100 years of independence in 2047.

Giving further details, the Minister said that on the special occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2022, TRIFED has organised a host of pan India events on tribal products.

An Aadi Mahotsav will be held at the Gramin Haat in Indore from 15 to 27 November, whereas, an Aadi Bazaar will be held at Ekamra Haat, Bhubaneshwar from 15 to 21 November.

Another Aadi Bazaar will be put up at the Lakhidhar Bora Khetra Digali Pukhuri, South Guwahati from the 15 to 21 November.

In Puducherry, an Aadi Bazaar will be the highlight at the Craft Bazaar from the 15 to 21 November, while an Aadi Bazaar will be organised at the Forest Research Institute on Chakrata Road in Dehradun from the 15 to 21 November.

Finally, an Aadi Chitra Programme will be held in the Indian Museum in Kolkata from the 15 to 24 November 2022.

In order to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2022, a series of events will be conducted by 392 EMRS in multiple locations across the country.

An essay-writing contest will be held on 15 November whereas a poster-making competition will be held on 16 November. On 17 November, a dance competition will be conducted and a skit competition will be organised on 18 November.

Poems and songs competitions will be held on 19 November, and quizzes will be held on 21 November.

Several central ministries including Railways, Education and Culture, among others, have planned programmes across India to highlight Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and tribal pride and tribal freedom fighters.