The week long Jan Jatiya Gaurav Saptah 2024 culminated with a grand event at Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT), Jammu, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of the legendary tribal leader, Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Organized by the Tribal Affairs Department, the valedictory ceremony of the event was presided over by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana.
The whole event showcased the rich cultural heritage of tribal communities from Jammu and Kashmir. The program was marked by colourful tribal dances, folk songs and group performances, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of J&K’s tribal traditions.
The event was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs Prasanna Ramaswamy G, Director Tribal Research Institute, Mukhtar Ahmed, Director Tribal Affairs, Musheer Ahmed, Deputy Director Tribal Affairs, Jammu, Manu Hansa along with tribal students, activists, artists and community members from across the Union Territory.
In his address, Javed Rana lauded the efforts of the Tribal Affairs Department for organising such a significant event. He emphasised the importance of preserving the cultural and historical heritage of tribal communities. He stated, “the rich culture of tribal communities adds to the nation’s diversity. It is our collective duty to preserve and promote this heritage while ensuring the socio-economic upliftment of tribal populations.”
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards tribal welfare while highlighting various ongoing initiatives aimed at improving their living standards. He elaborated on infrastructure projects in tribal areas, such as constructing roads, schools, hospitals and providing access to clean drinking water, electricity and housing under schemes like the PMAY (G) and other developmental programs.
He also stressed the need for adopting innovative approaches towards tribal development, directing the Tribal Affairs Department to organize international exposure visits for tribal youth and officials. These visits, he said, would enable them to learn global best practices and implement innovative solutions for tribal empowerment.
A key highlight of the event was a pledge taking ceremony, where the attendees reaffirmed their commitment to the Indian Constitution by reciting Preamble. The ceremony underscored the role of tribal communities in strengthening the nation’s unity and integrity.
In a major initiative, Javed Rana flagged off a group of 200 tribal students from Jammu division for an exposure tour to historical sites across the country. The tour aims to broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of India’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
The event concluded with a renewed focus on ensuring holistic development of tribal communities while preserving their unique identity. It served as an affirmation to the government’s dedication towards addressing the needs of tribal population and integrating them into the broader framework of national development.
The program highlighted the cultural, social and economic priorities of the government for tribal welfare, reflecting J&K’s vision of inclusive growth and heritage preservation.