Rairangpur (Odisha)
Placing tribal welfare and the upliftment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) at the centre of their vision for development, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday participated in a programme marking the completion of two years of the Odisha Government in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated 60 projects and laid foundation stones for 12 projects worth about Rs 47,600 crore across sectors including energy, industrial infrastructure, roads, drinking water, health, education, tourism and irrigation.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said meaningful development is achieved only when its benefits reach “every village, every family and every citizen.”
She stressed that improving human development indicators in tribal regions, remote areas and aspirational districts remains a priority and expressed confidence that the projects launched on Saturday would open a new chapter of development for Mayurbhanj and Odisha.
The President said a new era of welfare and upliftment for Odisha’s tribal population has begun through the combined efforts of the Centre and the State. Highlighting measures for tribal communities, she referred to the provision of Minimum Support Price for more than 90 minor forest produce under the Pradhan Mantri Van-Dhan Yojana, micro-credit support for tribal women’s self-help groups, low-interest loans for Scheduled Tribe women, establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
She also emphasized the importance of preserving tribal identity and culture. “If a society forgets the distinctiveness of its culture, it loses its very existence. A community that preserves its cultural uniqueness while embracing modernity remains truly enriched,” she said. Murmu lauded efforts such as the observance of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, the establishment of tribal museums and initiatives to bring the contributions of tribal heroes and heroines into public consciousness.
Drawing attention to PVTG welfare, the President described the PM Janman Yojana as a significant intervention for the most vulnerable tribal groups. She noted that electricity, internet connectivity and social infrastructure are being expanded in tribal-dominated regions, while every effort is being made to achieve the goal of Antyodaya through holistic tribal development.
Prime Minister Modi echoed similar themes, saying tribal development has been a top priority because tribal regions historically remained deprived of basic facilities and infrastructure. Referring to his long association with tribal areas and President Murmu’s years of service among tribal communities, he said the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan is bringing together departments related to health, education, roads and housing for comprehensive development in tribal villages.
“The PM JANMAN Mission emerged from discussions held with President Murmu and is specifically designed for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), ensuring that government services reach even the most marginalized tribal communities directly at their doorsteps,” Modi said.
Highlighting education as a key pillar of tribal empowerment, the Prime Minister said nearly 500 Eklavya Model Residential Schools have already been opened across the country and around 750 have been sanctioned. He added that more than 1.5 crore tribal students have received scholarships at pre-matric and post-matric levels and announced approval for an additional Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Mayurbhanj district.
On healthcare challenges in tribal regions, Modi pointed to diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and said the government has launched a nationwide campaign against the disease, distributed more than four crore health cards and provided Ayushman Cards to millions of tribal beneficiaries for free treatment. He also highlighted the expansion of safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to tribal icons and cultural figures including Pandit Raghunath Murmu, creator of the Ol Chiki script for the Santhali language, and noted the Government of India’s efforts to promote and preserve tribal languages and culture, including publication of the Constitution in Santhali.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi visited Pahadpur village, offered prayers at Gosani Peeth, Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, and interacted with students at institutions established under the President’s guidance. Extending birthday greetings to Murmu, Modi described her journey from Mayurbhanj to the highest constitutional office in the country as a source of pride for Odisha and India.
In a major announcement, Modi said Pahadpur would be developed as a Surya Gram (Solar Village). “Pahadpur village will now be rapidly developed as a solar village. That means every household here will generate solar power,” he said, adding that residents would benefit from free solar electricity and income from surplus generation.
Pahadpur happens to be the village of the in-laws of President Murmu where she has set up a memorial school and skill development centre in the name of her late husband and two sons. PM Modi paid homage to the three of them. Later, the PM lauded the President’s initiatives. “It is highly commendable that the President is focusing attention on this sector and accelerating the development journey of the village,” he posted on X.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Odisha’s development trajectory under the “double-engine government,” reiterating the Centre’s vision of “Development of Eastern India for the Development of India.” He said Odisha is attracting major investments in railways, roads, ports, semiconductors, green energy and modern industries. According to Modi, investment proposals worth nearly Rs20 lakh crore have been received under the Utkarsh Odisha initiative, while several mega projects worth over Rs3.5 lakh crore are under implementation.
President Murmu congratulated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Odisha Government on completing two years in office. She noted that the state has gained significant momentum in industrial growth, port development and transport infrastructure, while also focusing on women’s empowerment through initiatives such as Subhadra Yojana.
The President also congratulated Modi for setting a record this month as the longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister and said India’s stature on the global stage has risen under his leadership. She noted that India demonstrated its capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and has consistently advocated dialogue and peace amid global conflicts.
The programme, themed “Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara”, marked both a celebration of Odisha’s development achievements and a renewed emphasis on ensuring that tribal communities, including the most vulnerable groups, remain at the heart of the state’s growth journey.
