Indian Tribal News Service
New Delhi
Terming the tribals as “natural sportspersons”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said only a tribal child can bring the ‘best medal’ in the Olympics as sports is a part of tribal traditions. (See Gallery For More Pics)
Shah was speaking at the inauguration ceremony for the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) here.
“I believe that only a tribal child can bring the ‘best medal’ in the Olympics as sports is a part of tribal traditions. They are ‘natural’ sportspersons and only need guidance, coaching, practice and a platform to showcase their talent,” Shah said.
He cited how the Modi government has increased the budget for Eklavya residential schools from Rs 278 crore to Rs 1,418 crore this financial year.
He pointed out that the government spends Rs 1.09 lakh on each tribal student in Eklavya residential schools as against Rs 42,000 earlier. He also showcased how the BJP has the most number of tribal MPs and ministers.
“The previous governments would talk about tribal development but did they provide clean drinking water to tribals or build toilets in their houses? Did they give health cards to the Scheduled Tribes’ Communities,” he asked.
The Modi government provided clean drinking water to 1.28 crore tribal houses under the Jal Jeevan Mission and built toilets in 1.45 crore homes, Shah said.
“We have given Ayushman cards to 42 lakh Scheduled Tribes families and built over 40 lakh houses for tribals under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” Shah said adding it was the Modi government which recognised the sacrifices and valour of tribal freedom fighters and 10 museums are being built across India in their honour at a cost of around Rs 200 crore.
He said there are many institutions in the country such as the Planning Commission, now Niti Aayog, Life Insurance Corporation of India and the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited which have contributed immensely to India’s progress.
Similarly, this National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) will play a pivotal role in the development of tribals in the country. This is a milestone, he said adding the institute will become the backbone of tribal development in the run-up to 100 years of India’s Independence.
Shah also listed how the Narendra Modi government has brought the number of districts affected by Left-wing extremism down by 70 per cent and how the government lifted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from more than 66 per cent area in the Northeast and brought peace there;.
“Secured Northeast and secured central India pave the way for the development of tribals,” he said.
Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded top priority to research and education since he came to power. “Under the Congress government, in 2014, Rs 7 crore had been set aside for this purpose. In 2022, we have kept Rs 150 crore for it,” he cited.
While Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said the policies and programmes to uplift the tribal people became stronger and transparent during the tenure of Modi as the Prime Minister, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said indigenous tribes are spread across the country but earlier people would not consider them a part of the mainstream.
Munda said that NTRI will work to deliver outcome-based implementation of schemes, programmes and policies for tribal population right down to the grassroot level. It will harness the expertise of Universities, NGOs, COEs and other experts in various fields to undertake research, training, capacity building which will help the tribal population to embark upon the renewed journey of development including good livelihood, health , education and AtmaNirbharta and their ultimate empowerment.
