Tribal Development Projects Will Never Face Fund Shortages: Bhupendra Patel

Ahwa, November 15: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 37 development projects worth approximately Rs 102.87 crore during the state-level Tribal Pride Day celebration in Dang district headquarters, Ahwa. He also distributed benefits worth Rs 234 crore under various schemes to nearly 548 beneficiaries. The event marked a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, with the Chief Minister extending his greetings to the attendees.

Addressing the gathering, Patel highlighted the significant contributions of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle and acknowledged that these communities were deprived of development for decades post-independence. He credited Gujarat's progress in tribal development to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who initiated the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana in 2007. This ten-point program focused on improving road connectivity, education, healthcare, electricity, and water facilities in tribal areas. Patel emphasized that the initiative had improved literacy rates and educational opportunities for girls in tribal communities. Today, tribal regions boast higher education facilities, including engineering and medical colleges, with eight medical colleges established in districts like Valsad, Dahod, Banaskantha, and Godhra (Panchmahal).

The Chief Minister assured that tribal development projects would never be hindered due to a lack of funds. He expressed his vision of empowering tribal communities as a step toward building a developed India. Highlighting the Dharati Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan, Patel announced the goal of benefiting over 50 million tribal people across more than 63,000 tribal villages nationwide. The campaign aims to extend welfare schemes to the entire tribal population for the first time.

Highlights of the Event

- Tribal Development Minister Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor spoke about the contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and detailed the statewide initiatives for Tribal Pride Day.
- Vijaybhai Patel presented an overview of development projects in Dang, including permanent solutions to the district’s water issues.
- The event featured the live telecast of a national-level program held in Jamui, Bihar, in the presence of the Prime Minister.
- The Chief Minister and dignitaries unveiled the book "Modi with Tribals," authored by Valsad-Dang MP Dhawalbhai Patel.
- A specially prepared "Vikas Rath" showcasing development initiatives was flagged off during the event.
- Beneficiaries of various schemes shared their success stories on stage.

The program commenced with a welcome speech by the Tribal Development Commissioner Supreet Singh Gulati and concluded with a vote of thanks from Dang District Collector Mahesh Patel. Among the attendees were local MPs, MLAs, district leaders, and tribal representatives, along with senior government officials, including Additional Chief Secretary JP Gupta and Central Government Nodal Officer Pradeep Singh. A large number of tribal families also participated in the event.