Tribals’ spirit of sacrificing everything for justice is supreme: President
| Date :16-Nov-2022 |
Our Correspondent
SHAHDOL,
PRESIDENT Draupadi Murmu said tribals possess the spirit of sacrificing everything for justice. The history of freedom struggle also includes several incidents of struggles by tribal communities. Many great personalities like Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Sidhu-Kanhu of Jharkhand, Tantia Bhil and Bhima Nayak of Madhya Pradesh, Alluri Sitarama Raju of Andhra Pradesh, Rani Gaidinliu of Manipur and Shaheed Laxman Nayak of Odisha have enhanced tribal pride and also amplified pride of the country.
The President was addressing ‘Janjatiya Samagam’ on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ to mark the birth anniversary of tribal hero Lord Birsa Munda in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, the President greeted fellow citizens on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ and said that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country hence organising Janjatiya Samagam in the State is appropriate.
Many revolutionary warriors of Madhya Pradesh including Kishore Singh, Khajya Nayak, Rani Phool Kunwar, Sitaram Kanwar, Mahua Kol, Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah. Revered as the ‘Gandhi of Chhindwara’, Shri Badal Bhoi had chosen the path of non-violence for the freedom struggle. The President paid her tributes to all the freedom fighters.
The President hailed the contribution of tribal communities in enriching cultural heritage of Chambal, Malwa, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand and Mahakoshal regions of Madhya Pradesh. She was hopeful that this region, once full of prosperity during the reign of the tribal kings, will once again write impressive tales of modern development. The President said that most of the tribal areas have been rich in forest and mineral wealth. Tribal brothers and sisters lead a life based on nature and respectfully protect nature. They had fought fiercely against the British to protect this natural wealth from being exploited. Conservation of forest wealth was, to a large extent, possible due to their sacrifices. In today’s time, of climate change and global warming, everyone needs to learn from the lifestyle of tribal society and their determination towards forest conservation.
The President said that tribal community gives equal importance to humanity and nature. They give priority to the community over individual, co-operation over competition and equality over distinctiveness. Equality between men and women is a feature of tribal society. Gender-ratio in tribal society is better than that of the general population. These characteristics of tribal society are exemplary for all.
The President was happy to note that the Central and State Governments have taken several steps for development of tribal communities in the past few years. She said that holistic national development and development of tribal community are interlinked. Therefore, efforts are being made to maintain identity of tribal communities, increase sense of self-pride among them and at the same time benefit from fruits of development. Development of tribal areas in the spirit of harmony is beneficial for all. The function was graced by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, Union Minister of State For Steel and Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste, Rajya Sabha MP Sumitra Valmiki, State Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Minister Bisahulal Singh, Minister Meena Singh, Minister Prem Singh Patel, MP Hiamdri Singh and other dignitaries.