PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Rudrapur
The three-day Uttarakhand Aadi Rangotsav was inaugurated in Khatima on Sunday by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Attended by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, the event saw tribal artistes from various States showcasing the rich tribal heritage through their traditional costumes, folk dances, folk music and other cultural performances.
Addressing the gathering, Oram recalled the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to the development of tribal communities. He said that a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs was formed after Vajpayee became PM in 1999. Expressing gratitude to CM Dhami, the Union minister said that the construction of the Eklavya Model Residential School in Khatima was made possible through joint efforts. He announced that the Government of India would spend approximately Rs 10 crore for the expansion and facilities of the Eklavya School in Khatima. He informed that the tender for the hostel, to be built at a cost of approximately Rs four crore, has been completed and construction work will begin soon. The school will have a capacity to accommodate 480 students, including 240 boys and 240 girls.
Referring to the tribal welfare schemes implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Oram said that the government is consistently working towards the social and economic empowerment of tribal communities through various schemes. He assured that tribal problems in the region will be addressed on a priority basis. Speaking on the occasion, Rijiju praised Uttarakhand’s tribal diversity and rich cultural heritage. He said that after 2014, the welfare and recognition of tribal communities in the country has received new priority. To honour the contributions of tribal communities in the freedom struggle, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was celebrated as Tribal Pride Day. He said that through schemes like PM-Janman Niwas, efforts are being made to ensure the reach of development to remote tribal areas.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami said that such events are an important way to showcase the unique cultural heritage of various tribal communities to the nation and the world, as well as to connect the new generation with their roots and traditions. Thanking Oram for his support in the development of residential Eklavya schools and for announcing Rs 10 crore for the modernisation and expansion of the Eklavya Residential School in Khatima, he also requested him and Rijiju to establish a residential Eklavya school in the Pithoragarh region. The CM said that the State government is working to empower tribal communities by connecting them with education, health, employment and basic amenities.
The government’s effort is to integrate tribal communities into the mainstream of development while preserving their cultural identity and traditions. The government has made the income limit under the Atal Awas Yojana realistic and has also increased the cost of housing construction so that more eligible families can benefit. More than Rs three crore in assistance has been provided under this scheme in the Udham Singh Nagar district. A large number of tribal families are also benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. Approximately 28 per cent of the housing applications received this year under this scheme are from tribal families, he said.
