PM addressing programme marking the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, 2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 15 Nov, 2023

Bharat Mata ki – Jai! Bharat Mata ki – Jai! Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda ki – Jai! Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda ki – Jai! The Governor of Jharkhand C.P. Radhakrishnan ji, Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji, my fellow ministers in the central government, Arjun Munda ji and Annapurna Devi ji, our esteemed guide Shri Kariya Munda ji, my dear friend Babulal Marandi ji, other distinguished guests, and my beloved family members from Jharkhand. Johar greetings to everyone! Today is a day filled with good fortune. I just returned a short while ago from Ulihatu, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. I had the pleasure of meeting his relatives, and it is an absolute honour for me to have the opportunity to place the sacred soil on my forehead. I also had the chance to visit the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park cum Freedom Fighter Museum. Two years ago on this very day, I was fortunate enough to dedicate this museum to the nation. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all fellow citizens on ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ (Tribal Pride Day). Today, esteemed individuals are also celebrating the Foundation Day of Jharkhand at numerous locations across the country. The formation of this state was made possible by the efforts of Atal ji. The nation, especially Jharkhand, has received gifts in the form of various schemes totalling 50,000 crore rupees. Several railway projects have been launched under the expansion of railway infrastructure and connectivity in Jharkhand today. You will be pleased to know that Jharkhand has now become one of the states with 100 percent electrified rail routes in the country. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the residents of Jharkhand for these projects. My family members, The saga of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a symbol of tribal pride and struggle, inspires every citizen. Every corner of Jharkhand is connected to such great personalities, their courage, and relentless efforts. Figures like Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu Kanhu, Chand Bhairav, Phulo Jhano, Nilambar, Pitambar, Jatra Tana Bhagat, and Albert Ekka have enhanced the glory of this land. When we look at the freedom struggle, there was no corner of the country where tribal warriors did not join the movement. Who can forget the contribution of Govind Guru in Mangarh Dham? Tantia Bhil from Madhya Pradesh, Bhima Nayak, martyr Veer Narayan Singh from Chhattisgarh, Veer Gundadhur, Rani Gaidinliu from Manipur… Ramji Gond from Telangana, Alluri Sitarama Raju inspiring tribals in Andhra Pradesh, Rani Durgavati of Gondwana—these are the luminaries to whom our nation is indebted even today. Unfortunately, post-independence, justice has not been done to these heroes. I am pleased that during the Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years of independence, we remembered and brought the memories of such brave men and women to the next generation. Friends, Coming to Jharkhand allows me to refresh old memories. The launch of the Ayushman Yojana, the greatest strength for the poor, began right here in Jharkhand. A few years ago, I inaugurated a solar-powered district court in Khunti. Not one but two historic campaigns are set to begin from this sacred land of Jharkhand today. The ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ (Developed Bharat Resolve Yatra) will serve as a strong means to achieve the saturation goals of the government. The ‘PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan’ (PM Tribal Justice Mega Campaign) will protect and empower the tribal communities standing on the verge of extinction, known to us so far as primitive tribes. It will defend them and empower them. Both of these campaigns will infuse new energy into Bharat’s developmental journey in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. My family members, Being at the helm of the government, as the Head of the Government, it has been more than two decades since I took on this role. I have had the opportunity to know and understand the aspirations of the citizens very closely. Based on those experiences, I am presenting an ‘Amrit Mantra’ before you today, and I am presenting it from the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. If we want to build the magnificent and divine structure of a developed Bharat in the next 25 years of the ‘Amrit Kal’, then we need to strengthen and continuously fortify its four ‘Amrit Stambhs’ (pillars). Our government has achieved a lot in the last 10 years, but now we need to invest even more energy into these four ‘Amrit’ pillars with a constant focus. Let me share with you these four ‘Amrit’ pillars of a developed Bharat. What are these four ‘Amrit’ pillars? First ‘Amrit’ Pillar: Our women of Bharat — Our mothers, sisters, our ‘Nari Shakti’ (the power of our women). Second ‘Amrit’ Pillar: Farmers of Bharat — Our farmer brothers and sisters, and those associated with agriculture, be it livestock farming or fish farming— all our ‘Anna Daata’ (providers of food). Third ‘Amrit’ Pillar: Youth of Bharat — the young generation of Bharat, the youth power that will take the country to new heights in the coming 25 years. Fourth ‘Amrit’ Pillar: The Middle Class of Bharat — Neo-Middle Class, and my poor brothers and sisters of Bharat. Strengthening these four pillars will elevate the structure of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ to new heights. I am pleased that the efforts made to empower these four pillars in the past 10 years have never been done before. Friends, In recent times, discussions about Bharat’s success are prevalent everywhere, acknowledging that in the past five years of our government, more than 130 million people have risen above poverty. What significant changes have occurred in the past few years that have led to such a remarkable transformation on the ground? In 2014, when you entrusted us with the responsibility of leading the government in Delhi, our ‘Seva Kaal’ (era of service) began from that day. We are here to serve people. Speaking of this period of service, a large portion of Bharat’s population was deprived of basic amenities before we formed the government. Millions of impoverished individuals had given up hope that their lives would ever change. The attitude of previous governments was such that they considered themselves as the ultimate authority. We, however, started working not with a sense of authority but as servants, focusing on providing priority to those who were marginalized. We reached out to those who were considered the furthest, bringing the government directly to their doorstep. The ones neglected for decades found support and companionship in our government. The bureaucracy remained the same, the people were the same, the files were the same, and the laws and rules were also the same. However, a change in mindset led to a change in outcomes. Before 2014, sanitation coverage in the country’s villages was less than 40 per cent. Today, we are approaching the goal of 100 percent. Before the formation of our government, only 50-55 per cent of households had LPG connections. Now, women have been liberated from the burden of smoke in almost 100 per cent of households. Initially, only 55 per cent of the country’s children had access to life-saving vaccines, leaving half of the children unprotected. Today, vaccination coverage is nearly 100 percent. In the seven decades since independence, only 17 percent of rural families had access to piped water, not even 20 per cent. Thanks to the Jal Jeevan Mission, this has now almost reached 70 per cent. And friends, We all know who were the people who received the benefits at that time? Who were the people who got the benefits initially? It was the affluent, the ones with access to the government, recognition, and facilities. They got the facilities easily. Such was the approach of the government that it easily provided resources and arrangements to those who were well-off. However, those who lagged behind in society, who were deprived of basic amenities, received little to no attention. They were living their lives amidst inconveniences. Modi made it a priority to focus on such marginalized individuals. Because these are the people among whom I have lived. I have eaten the bread and tasted the salt of such marginalised families in society. Today, I have come to repay that debt from the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. My family members, Typically, governments follow the approach of achieving easily attainable goals first. However, we worked on a different strategy. I would encourage scholars to study this; you might recall that even after so many decades of independence, there were still 18,000 villages where electricity hadn’t reached. These people were forced to live in the 18th century, in the darkness. They were left to live in the dark because it was challenging to bring electricity there, facing various difficulties. I believe it was difficult; that’s why it had to be done. Everyone draws lines on butter; after all, you have to mark lines on stones too. I had promised from the Red Fort that I would take up the challenging commitment of bringing electricity to 18,000 villages within a thousand days, and today, I am humbled to say that your ‘Sevak’ fulfilled that task on time. Friends, There were more than 110 districts in our country that lagged behind on every parameter of development. These districts were very backward. These districts were neglected by the previous governments, labelled as backward, and considered incapable of progress. And the governments slept over it. These regions suffered in terms of education, health, and facilities for decades. Interestingly, these backward districts had the highest population of my tribal families. When officers were to be given punishment postings, they were sent to these districts. A person who is tired, defeated, and unsuccessful was sent there, with the idea that there is no work for them here. Now, what would they do once they are there? Leaving these more than 110 districts in their existing state, Bharat could never become developed. Therefore, following the principle of prioritizing the marginalized, our government declared these districts as Aspirational Districts. We emphasized the appointment of the most competent officers in these districts with the consent of the respective state governments. We started working from ground zero on various issues such as education, health, roads, and many more in these districts. Today we are achieving success and reaching new heights in these districts. Jharkhand also has several districts, including Khunti, in this list. Now, the success of the Aspirational District Program is being expanded through the Aspirational Block Program. My family members, For decades, our country has talked about and discussed social justice and secularism. True secularism is achieved when all citizens of the country are free from any discrimination. Social justice is only realized when everyone receives the benefits of government schemes with equality and equal consideration. Unfortunately, even today, there are numerous poor individuals who lack sufficient information about government schemes in many states. There are also many poor people who are unable to participate in the race to avail the benefits of these schemes. How long will we continue to ignore their plight? Out of this pain, suffering, and empathy, a vision has emerged. With this vision, the journey of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is commencing from today. This journey will commence on November 15, marking the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and will continue until January 26 next year. During this journey, the government will reach every village in mission mode, making every poor and marginalized individual a beneficiary of government schemes entitled to their rights. The plans will be delivered to them, and arrangements will be made for their implementation. You would recall, though some of my friends in media are not aware of it. In 2018, I conducted a similar experiment. The Central Government had initiated a Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, and I sent one thousand officers from the Indian government to villages. These officers were sent from air-conditioned rooms to the villages. In this campaign, we visited every village with seven key schemes. I believe that like the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, we must embark on the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’, reaching every village and every rightful claimant, and taking the pledge to make this plan successful. When we embark on this journey from the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, success is bound to follow. I envision a day when every poor person will have a ration card that provides free rations. A day when every impoverished individual will have access to Ujjwala gas connection, electricity through the Saubhagya scheme, and water through pipe connections. I foresee a day when every underprivileged person will possess an Ayushman card, offering free healthcare up to 5 lakh rupees. I envision a day when each destitute person will have a permanent home of their own. I dream of the day when every farmer will be linked to the Central Government’s pension scheme, and every labourer will benefit from pension plans. I foresee a day when every eligible youth can avail the benefits of the Mudra Yojana and step towards becoming an entrepreneur. The ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ is a commitment from Modi to the country’s poor, mothers and sisters, youth, and farmers. When Modi makes a guarantee, you know what is that guarantee? The guarantee of Modi is the guarantee of fulfilment. My family members, PM JANMAN — the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan — is a pivotal component of the commitment to ‘Viksit Bharat’. While social justice has been discussed broadly, Modi has taken the initiative to address tribal justice. For decades after independence, the tribal community was consistently overlooked. During Atal ji’s government, a separate ministry and budget were allocated for tribal welfare. Under our government, the budget for tribal welfare has increased up to six times compared to earlier periods. The initiative is named PM JANMAN, focusing on tribal justice. It is a campaign that aims to reach our tribal brothers and sisters who have never been reached before. These are the primitive tribes, many of whom are still compelled to live in the forests. They haven’t even heard the sound of a train, forget about seeing the train. Over 75 such primitive tribal communities reside in more than 22,000 villages across the country. Our government has identified and recognized these 75 primitive tribal communities, who are among the most marginalized within the tribal population. They are the last among the adivasis, just as some are extremely backward among the backward. The number of these tribes is in lakhs across the country. The most marginalized tribal communities have not received basic amenities, even 75 years after independence. The people of this tribal society have never been provided with permanent housing. Many generations of children in this community have never seen the inside of a school. Nobody cared about the skill development for the people of this society. Therefore, the Indian government is launching a special campaign to reach these tribal communities. Previous governments focused on connecting with those who are closer or already empowered, relying on existing data. But for me, it’s not just about connecting numbers; it’s about connecting lives, weaving together existences, filling each life with vitality, and instilling a fresh spirit in every life. With this goal in mind, today marks the beginning of the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, or PM JANMAN. As we sing the national anthem, today, I am initiating this great campaign PM JANMAN. The Indian government is set to spend 24 thousand crore rupees on this massive campaign. Friends, I would like to express special gratitude to the Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu ji for this grand campaign. We have just heard her video message. When she served as the Governor here in Jharkhand and previously as a minister in Odisha, she worked tirelessly as a social worker. She consistently made efforts to uplift the tribal communities living in the remotest areas. Even after becoming the President, she continued to invite such groups with respect to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, understanding their issues, and discussing solutions. I am confident that her guidance and inspiration will lead us to success in the PM JANMAN – PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan. My family members, Our President Droupadi Murmu ji is also a symbol of Women-Led Development. In the past years, the way Bharat has shown the world the path of women empowerment is unprecedented. These years were dedicated to ensure facilities, security, respect, health, and employment opportunities for our mothers, sisters, and daughters. The daughters of Jharkhand who are earning names in sports make us proud. Our government has created schemes for women, keeping every stage of their lives in mind. With the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, the number of girls has increased, and there has been an increase in the enrolment of female students in schools. The construction of separate toilets for female students in government schools has reduced the compulsion to leave school. Under the PM Awas Yojana, millions of households have been registered in the names of women, and for the first time, they have property in their names. Admission to Sainik School and Defence Academy has been opened for girls for the first time. About 70 per cent of the women in my country, including my daughters, are getting loans without collateral under the Mudra Yojana. Even women’s self-help groups are receiving significant financial assistance from the government today. The heads of several people start spinning when they are told about the Lakhpatti Didi campaign. My dream is to make two crore women Lakhpatti Didis, empowering two crore women who run self-help groups to become Lakhpatti Didis. Just a few months ago, our government passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam providing reservations for women in both the Assembly and Parliament. Today is also the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. This brother guarantees all the sisters in the country that he will continue to remove every obstacle in the development of his sisters. Your brother will tirelessly strive for the liberation of your difficulties. The ‘Amrit’ pillar of women’s power will play a vital role in building a Viksit Bharat. My family members, The Central Government is committed to harnessing the potential of every individual in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat. Just two months ago, we launched the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. The government has made efforts to uplift those who are engaged in traditional skills. Whether you are a potter, blacksmith, carpenter, goldsmith, garland maker, stonemason, weaver, or involved in cloth washing, sewing, shoemaking—these are our companions, our Vishwakarma companions. Under this scheme, our Vishwakarma companions will receive modern training, financial assistance during training, access to new and improved tools, and new technology. The government is going to spend 13,000 crore rupees on this scheme. My family members, Today, the 15th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has been released, totalling an amount exceeding 2 lakh 75 thousand crore rupees, which has been sent to the accounts of millions of farmers across the country. If there are farmers among you, you may have already received a message on your mobile phone saying that 2,000 rupees have been deposited into your account. There are no middlemen or intermediaries; it’s a direct connection with Modi. These are the farmers who were often overlooked in the past, but now the government is attentive to their needs. It is our government which has extended the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card to livestock and fishery farmers. Our government has spent 15,000 crore rupees on free vaccination of livestock. Thousands of crores of rupees were spent on free vaccination during the Corona pandemic. Every attempt was made to save each and every life of your family. Not only this, an additional 15,000 crore rupees have been allocated for free vaccination of animals. You should take advantage of this scheme. The government is also encouraging fish farming. There is an exhibition here which I visited. Currently, exhibitions are being organized where fish worth one and a half to two lakh rupees are being showcased, and people are engaged in making pearls from them. We are also offering economic assistance to them through the Matsya Sampada Yojana. The government’s efforts have led to the formation of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). It is playing a significant role in reducing the cost for farmers and facilitating easier access to markets. It is due to the government’s efforts that the International Millet Year is being celebrated this year. Efforts are being made to recognize coarse grains and ensure their international markets by branding them as ‘Shree Anna.’ This will also benefit our tribal brothers and sisters. Friends, The efforts of the government have led to a significant reduction in Naxal violence in states like Jharkhand. As Jharkhand approaches its 25th anniversary in a year or two, it’s indeed an inspiring time for the state. This milestone can be a catalyst for the initiation of 25 new schemes in Jharkhand. I would encourage the Jharkhand government and all leaders in the state to set ambitious goals for these 25 schemes. This can propel the state to new heights, making life easier for its people. Our government is committed to education and providing opportunities to the youth. With the implementation of the National Education Policy, students now have the option to pursue medical and engineering studies in their mother tongue. Over the past nine years, more than 300 universities and over 5,500 new colleges have been established across the country. The Digital India campaign has opened up new opportunities for the youth, and thousands have found employment in Common Service Centers in villages. With more than one lakh start-ups, Bharat has become the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem. Today, a new campus at IIM Ranchi and a new hostel at IIT-ISM Dhanbad have also been inaugurated. Friends, The four ‘Amrit’ pillars of the ‘Amrit Kaal’, our women power, our youth power, our agricultural strength, and the empowerment of our poor and middle-class, will undoubtedly elevate Bharat to new heights and build a developed nation. I once again extend an invitation to all of you for these projects, for the nation-building campaigns. Congratulations to all of you! I would say, “Bhagwan Birsa Munda” – you say, “Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe”. Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Raise your both hands and say it with full force: Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Bhagwan Birsa Munda – Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe! Thank you very much!