“Madhya Pradesh is the land of tribals, rich culture and heritage and contribution of Amar Shaheed Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah to preserve its culture is remarkable. Their sacrifice for the nation signifies the motto of ‘Always Keep the Nation First’,” quoted Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar while addressing a huge gathering during the martyrdom day programme at Veterinary College ground on Sunday.

He extended gratitude towards Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for making continuous efforts in development of tribals in every field. The Vice-President said, “tribals of Madhya Pradesh have the most beautiful diversified culture which makes it a different State. The tribal community proves their talents and skills that can lead the nation towards growth.” “India is positively experiencing the revolutionary changes with the talents of tribal community. The dream of growth of tribal community is becoming reality with the passage of time.” he added.

Vice-President Dhankhar said, “what could be the best example of growth of tribal community in the recent years than that President of India is also belongs to tribal community. The tribal community is packed with the creative skills and I am glad that CM Chouhan is putting all his efforts to utilize these talents for development of nation.”

Earlier, the Vice-President was welcomed with ‘Saafa’, jacket and ornaments denoting tribal culture. The guests inaugurated the programme by lighting lamps and garlanding the portrait of brave martyrs Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah.

Expressing views on the occasion, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to implement PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 by this year to ensure self-governance through traditional Gram Sabhas for people living in the tribal areas. He said, “the BJP government has fulfilled all its promises made to the general public especially to the tribal community. Right from renaming the Chhindwara University as Raja Shankar Shah University to making the ration available to the poor under Mukhya Mantri Ration Aapke Dwar Yojana to Sickle Cell Eradication Campaign and other such works, the BJP has always worked for the welfare of the public.” CM Chouhan also declared public holiday on November 15 every year to celebrate ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ to revere the achievements of the tribal community. He also declared to provide 1 lakh Government jobs in a year, to make memorial for the brave martyrs of the State, to provide honorarium of Rs 1 crore to the family of martyrs and to handover traditional rights of forest management to the forest committee.

During this programme, the guests also launched projects worth Rs 100 crore for tribal welfare. Later, meritorious students of tribal community who cracked NEET, JEE, CLAT and other such exams were felicitated by the Vice President and the Chief Minister with letter of appreciation and cheque.

Governor Mangubhai Patel, in this address, remembered the brave martyrs, Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah and informed about the progress of the Sickle Cell Disease Eradication Campaign in the State.

Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste mentioned about the remarkable contribution of brave martyrs of Madhya Pradesh including Raja Shankar Shah, Kunwar Raghunath Shah, Rani Durgavati, Brisa Munda, Bheem Nayak and others in the freedom struggle. The programme concluded with presentation of souvenirs to all the dignitaries while the State Tribal Welfare Minister extended vote of thanks.

Guests accompanied by the Vice-President were Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Prahlad Singh Patel, State Tribal Welfare Minister Meena Singh, State Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Member of Parliament Rakesh Singh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sumitra Valmiki, Minister Incharge of the District, Gopal Bhargav, BJP State President V D Sharma and others.