Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (GS Paper 1, Culture)
Context
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, observed annually on 15th November, celebrates the invaluable contributions of India’s tribal communities, especially their significant role in the freedom struggle.
- The day also marks the birth anniversary of the iconic tribal leader Birsa Munda, a courageous freedom fighter who spearheaded the tribal resistance against British colonial rule in the late 19th century.
What is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?
- Instituted in 2021 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas serves to honor the sacrifices and resilience of tribal communities.
- The day highlights their role in India’s freedom struggle and recognizes the challenges they continue to face in modern India.
- The tributes are paid to various tribal leaders who fought against colonial oppression and injustice, with Birsa Munda being one of the most celebrated figures for his leadership and sacrifices.
- The event is aimed at raising awareness about the contributions of tribal communities, such as the Santhals, Munda, Bhils, Khasis, Mizos, and others, who led several anti-colonial uprisings.
- Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan (Great Tumult) is one of the most prominent tribal movements against the British in the late 1800s.
Key Highlights of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2024
The 2024 celebrations have seen several significant initiatives and events aimed at both honoring the legacy of tribal leaders and improving the lives of tribal people across the country.
- PM-JANMAN Launch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 11,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). This initiative aims to ensure housing and social justice for tribal communities, particularly those in the most backward areas.
- Healthcare Improvements: The government launched 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) to improve healthcare accessibility in remote tribal regions. These MMUs aim to provide essential medical care to tribal populations that often face difficulties accessing healthcare in rural and isolated areas.
- Additional MMUs under DAJGUA: In a further push to improve infrastructure in tribal regions, 30 more MMUs were inaugurated under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), aimed at enhancing social infrastructure across tribal villages.
- Tribal Entrepreneurship and Education: The PM also inaugurated 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), which are designed to promote entrepreneurship and provide economic opportunities in tribal areas. Additionally, 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) were inaugurated, with plans to lay the foundation for 25 more EMRS to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas.
- Cultural Preservation: In a bid to preserve the rich history and culture of tribal communities, two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums were inaugurated in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Furthermore, Tribal Research Institutes were inaugurated in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim, to focus on research, documentation, and promotion of tribal cultures.
Who Was Birsa Munda?
Birsa Munda was born on 15th November 1875 in the Chota Nagpur Plateau, in present-day Jharkhand. A prominent tribal leader, he was a visionary who mobilized the tribal people against the British, advocating for their rights, land, and culture. His leadership in the Ulgulan (Revolution) of 1899 was pivotal in challenging British authority in the region.
- Birsait Sect and Religious Revival: Birsa Munda founded the Birsait sect, which focused on reviving tribal identity and resisting both British colonialism and Christian missionary activities aimed at converting tribals. He united the Munda and Oraon tribes against exploitation and led the community towards a movement for self-governance.
- Ulgulan Movement: The Ulgulan (Great Tumult) of 1899, led by Birsa, aimed to establish Birsa Raj, a self-governed tribal state. This guerrilla warfare movement was instrumental in challenging the British government’s policies and defending tribal lands.
- Arrest and Legacy: Birsa was arrested in 1900 and died mysteriously in Ranchi jail at the age of 25. His legacy, however, continues to inspire, and his efforts led to legal changes for tribal land rights in India. The state of Jharkhand was created on Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, 15th November 2000, to honor his contributions to tribal welfare and independence.
Other Important Tribal Movements
- Sardari Agitation (1858-1890): The Sardari Agitation was a significant tribal movement in Chotanagpur, driven by agrarian distress, exploitative practices like forced labor (beggars), and exorbitant rent hikes imposed by middlemen. The movement, led by the Sardars, successfully resisted these socio-economic injustices and contributed to the larger anti-colonial struggle.
India’s Key Initiatives Supporting Tribal Development
The Indian government has launched several financial, social, and educational initiatives to promote the welfare and development of tribal communities:
Financial and Social Initiatives:
- Union Budget Allocation: In the 2024-25 Union Budget, the government allocated Rs 13,000 crore to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, a 73.6% increase from the previous year, signaling a strong commitment to tribal welfare.
- DAJGUA Initiative: The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan has a financial outlay of Rs 79,156 crore, aimed at bridging the infrastructure gaps in tribal areas. This scheme benefits over 5.38 crore people across 63,843 villages.
- PM-JANMAN: Launched to support Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), this program provides targeted interventions such as healthcare, financial inclusion, and community support.
- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): This initiative focuses on providing basic infrastructure in villages with significant tribal populations. Around 36,500 villages with 50% tribal population are being targeted for comprehensive infrastructure development.
Education Initiatives:
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): These schools offer quality education to tribal students in remote areas. In 2024, the government inaugurated 10 new EMRS, with plans for 25 more to be established.
- Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana (ASRY): This initiative provides soft loans to tribal students pursuing higher education.
- National Overseas Scholarship: This scheme offers scholarships for tribal students to pursue higher education abroad.
Income Generation Schemes:
- Term Loan Scheme: Provides up to 90% business loans to tribal entrepreneurs.
- Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana: Concessional loans are provided to tribal women to encourage entrepreneurship.
- Micro Credit Scheme: Supports tribal groups with loans up to Rs 5 lakh to promote income generation.
Health and Welfare Initiatives:
- Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Targets the elimination of sickle cell anemia in tribal communities, which is prevalent in several regions.
- Mission Indradhanush: Aims to improve immunization coverage, including in tribal areas.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Includes special provisions for tribal areas to improve healthcare services.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Offers maternity benefits to pregnant tribal women to improve maternal health.
Conclusion:
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of tribal leaders like Birsa Munda and their contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
- It also highlights the ongoing efforts to address the developmental needs of tribal communities through comprehensive initiatives that focus on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and social justice.
- As India continues its journey of inclusive development, these efforts are crucial for empowering the country’s tribal population and ensuring that their rights and welfare are prioritized in the national agenda.
