NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said tribal communities had suffered the most due to Naxal violence and accused previous governments of leaving them to fend for themselves.Addressing the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, virtually, PM Modi said tribal communities had always stood up against injustice.He said his government had allocated more than Rs 1 lakh crore for the development of tribal areas and made every effort to improve their lives.50 crore people out of extreme povertyThe Prime Minister also described bringing 50 crore people out of extreme poverty as one of India’s biggest achievements since Independence.
In his address, he said Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, celebrated every year on November 15 since 2021 to mark the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, had now become a national celebration.“There was a time when several festivals and occasions were decided from a foreign point of view. But today, India is remembering its heritage, history, and heroes with indigenous pride.”Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 246 development projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving the quality of life of tribal communities across the country.The projects focus on key sectors, including education, healthcare, livelihood generation and community infrastructure, with an emphasis on improving access to essential services and promoting the overall development of tribal populations.