Jan Jatiya Gaurav Saptah culminates
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 26: 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 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.
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.
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