Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the "Aadi Mahotsav", the mega National Tribal Festival at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi. He also paid floral tribute to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

During the event, PM Modi said that the one who used to consider himself far away, now the government is going to his doorstep, bringing him into the mainstream.

PM Modi said, "21st century India is walking on the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Now government goes from Delhi to meet that which was considered far away. That which considered itself far away is now being brought to mainstream". 

He also said, "the festival is giving more life to the idea of ​​development and heritage" adding that "the interest of tribal society is a matter of personal relationships and feelings for me."

"In the last 8-9 years, events like Aadi Mahotsav that are connected to the tribal community have become a campaign for the country. I myself became a part of several such programmes. The tribal community's welfare is also a matter of personal relations & sentiments for me," PM Modi said as he hailed the Mahotsav.

PM Modi further said that during previous governments' rule, the cutting of bamboo and its usage was legally banned. "During previous governments' rule, the cutting of bamboo and its usage was legally banned. We brought bamboo into the category of grass and scrapped all the prohibitions on it. With this, bamboo products are becoming part of a big industry," PM Modi said.

Speaking further about bamboo products PM Modi said, there is a rapid rise in the demand for bamboo products. "Today, the demand for India's traditional products, especially those made by the tribal community, is rising continuously. Products from the northeast are being exported to even foreign countries," PM Modi said.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda was also present with him during the event. Speaking during the event Munda said, "PM Modi’s ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ has brought forward development to the tribes living in 1.17 lakh villages across the nation. Aadi Mahotsav will connect these tribes and their products to the country."

He also said, "the products by the tribal artisans including handicrafts, jewellery, and food items must reach across the country through Tribes India to make PM’s goal of Atmanirbharta true for the tribal communities."

"PM Modi has allocated the budget for the Ministry of Tribal affairs with the goal that as we enter Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav the problems of the tribes & the tribal areas must be solved by 2047," Arjun Munda said.

The event comes as an effort to showcase the tribal culture on the national stage. The Mahotsav celebrates the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce, and traditional art. It is held from 16 to 27 February this year.

According to a statement released by Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi has been at the forefront of taking steps for the welfare of the tribal population of the country while also according to due respect to their contribution to the growth and development of the country. The Aadi Mahotsav is an annual initiative of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The programme will showcase the rich and diverse heritage of tribes from across the country in over 200 stalls at the venue. Around 1000 tribal artisans will participate in the Mahotsav. Since 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, along with usual attractions like handicrafts, handloom, pottery, jewellery, etc., a special focus in the Mahotsav will be on showcasing Shree Anna grown by tribals, the statement informed.

Image courtesy: ANI