Today, Ambaji hosted a grand celebration for the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. The event was chaired by Gujarat’s Cabinet Minister Hrishikeshbhai Patel. It began with a traditional cultural dance performed by students after the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the minister and other dignitaries.
Minister Patel emphasised the significant role played by indigenous communities in protecting nature and coexisting with it. He recalled the fierce struggle of forest dwellers against the British for independence and pride, an event that is still celebrated across the nation today.
During his speech, Patel highlighted the various initiatives launched for the overall development of the tribal community. He mentioned that under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs introduced several schemes. In 2007, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vanbandhu Yojana, which includes amenities like roads, housing, electricity, and livestock support. Today, these government schemes have reached even the remote areas.
The minister pointed out that around 90 lakh tribal people live in the region from Danta to Dang. He also noted that Prime Minister Modi has strengthened healthcare services, especially concerning diseases like sickle cell anaemia. The government is providing job opportunities under constitutional rights in the education sector. Approximately 500 students have been selected in competitive exams like NEET and JEE, reflecting significant development.
In 2012, the ‘Maa Card’ scheme was launched for health services, followed by the ‘Maa Vatsalya Card’ and now the ‘Ayushman Card’, making healthcare more accessible. The state government has set MSP rates for around 90 forest products. Both the state and central governments are committed to ensuring that development schemes reach 100% saturation among forest dwellers. Patel wished for the tribal community to excel in all fields, including sports and defence.
As part of the celebrations, the minister and other dignitaries awarded prizes to the top three students in the district at the 12th standard level. The first prize was ₹15,000, the second ₹11,000, and the third ₹9,000. Special recognition was also given to tribal students who succeeded in competitive exams and are now serving in government jobs. On this auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, female students tied rakhis to the minister and dignitaries, adding to the festive spirit of the occasion.