Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated the state-level ‘Adivasi Shakti Samavesh’ at the Chhau Padia ground in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, marking the first anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha. The grand event celebrated the cultural richness and contributions of Odisha’s tribal communities, while also underscoring the state’s commitment to their development and empowerment.
Addressing a massive gathering, the Chief Minister described tribal culture as the soul of Odisha and emphasized its integral role in the state’s journey toward prosperity. “Our goal is to transform Odisha into a developed state by 2036. To achieve this, we must ensure inclusive growth by focusing on the development of tribal and Scheduled Caste communities, who together constitute 40 percent of our population,” Majhi said.
Organized by the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, the Adivasi Shakti Samavesh brought together tribal communities from across the state, offering a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and solidarity. Traditional performances, exhibitions, and community interactions reflected the rich legacy and aspirations of Odisha’s indigenous population.
Highlighting several key initiatives, the Chief Minister mentioned the ‘Mukhyamantri Janajati Jeevika Mission Scheme,’ which has already benefitted 1.45 lakh tribal families through focused interventions in agriculture, irrigation, and animal husbandry. Additionally, over 5,000 tribal youths and women have successfully launched small-scale enterprises with state support.
On the education front, Majhi announced an allocation of ₹732.48 crore in 2024 for the construction of 83 new ST and SC hostels, 23 OBC hostels, and 229 primary school hostels. He also noted the introduction of the ‘Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme’ to promote secondary and higher secondary education among tribal students. The government has further committed ₹100 crore to upgrade residential schools under the ‘Shaheed Laxman Nayak Adarsh Ashram Vidyalaya Yojana.’
The PM-Janman Yojana is set to uplift nearly 3 lakh people from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in 1,679 villages across 14 districts. As part of the cultural preservation effort, foundation stones have been laid for the Tribal Culture and Heritage Bhavan and the Tribal Language Institute with budgets of ₹100 crore and ₹50 crore, respectively.
The Chief Minister also lauded the achievements of tribal leaders and personalities, stating, “It is a matter of pride that a tribal daughter from Mayurbhanj now serves as the President of India. Her rise is an inspiration to women and youth across the nation.”
Echoing the CM’s message, ST & SC Development Minister Nityananda Gond stressed the importance of spreading education in every tribal household. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabinarayan Naik assured that the government is committed to addressing the fundamental needs of tribal communities, while Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra emphasized preserving the social and cultural identity of Odisha’s indigenous people. Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia remarked that tribal development goes hand in hand with environmental progress.
The Chief Minister also felicitated individuals from tribal communities for their exceptional contributions to folklore, culture, and traditional knowledge systems.
