Hon’ble National President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the public meetings in Gumia, Sindari and Nala, Jharkhand on Sunday. Shri Nadda criticized the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government in Jharkhand for neglecting the tribals and stalling the state’s development. He urged the people to elect a BJP government to curb infiltration and steer Jharkhand towards progress and prosperity. During the event, Gumia NDA Candidate Shri Lambodar Mahto, BJP District President Shri Jaidev Rai, Rajya Sabha MP and former Jharkhand BJP President Shri Deepak Prakash, West Bengal MLA Smt. Agnimitra Paul Sindri candidate Smt. Tara Devi, Nala Candidate Shri Madhav Chndra Mahto, among other leaders were present.

Shri Nadda stated that the enthusiasm of the crowd is clearly evident that the public has decided to elect the BJP-led NDA government in the state. It has also made clear that the public will wipe off the alliance government of Congress-JMM and RJD from the state. The way people used their voting rights on the November 13 election indicates that they have decided to make a BJP-led NDA government in the state.  BJP National President Shri Nadda stated that on 15th November, the people of Jharkhand celebrate their Foundation Day along with the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. On this date, former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced Jharkhand’s statehood, and it can be proudly said that the BJP-led NDA played a significant role in the formation of Jharkhand. When the discussion and movement for the creation of a separate state of Jharkhand were underway, the Congress party procrastinated and went back on its promises. RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav also opposed the formation of Jharkhand, declaring that the state would be created over his dead body. Today, Lalu Yadav is alive, and Jharkhand has been formed and stands proud with dignity and honor. It is a matter of pride for the NDA that the state of Jharkhand was created under its leadership, and it is the NDA that will further shape and develop Jharkhand’s future. Similarly, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has declared 15th November as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’. This demonstrates the Union Government’s commitment to bringing Adivasis and OBCs into the mainstream after years of neglect under Congress rule.

Shri Nadda stated that Rahul Gandhi is roaming around with a copy of the Constitution, expressing concern for the OBC community. However, he should remember that it was his grandmother Indira Gandhi who did not implement the Mandal Commission report, which was eventually enforced during the BJP-backed VP Singh government. The Congress, which claims to champion the cause of OBCs and backward communities, should disclose how many OBCs are part of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the National Advisory Committee under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, or the Congress Working Committee. In contrast, the Modi cabinet includes 27 OBC ministers. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has also granted constitutional status to the Backward Commission. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji appointed Smt. Droupadi Murmu as the Governor of Jharkhand and later facilitated her becoming the first female Adivasi President of India. The budget allocation for Adivasi development has been tripled, and the budget for Eklavya Residential Tribal Schools has been increased 21 times. Under the PM JANMAN Yojana, Adivasi villages have been connected with essential facilities such as schools, roads, healthcare, and water supply, with a total budget of ₹24,000 crore. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has ensured the welfare of every section of society, including backward classes, farmers, youth, laborers, women, and Adivasis. This is why the people of Jharkhand have resolved that “Roti, Beti, Maati Ki Pukar Hai, Abki Baar Jharkhand Mein NDA Ki Sarkar Hai.” 

BJP National President Shri Nadda stated that the Hemant Soren government has betrayed the people of Jharkhand. Over the past five years under his governance, poverty has deepened, unemployment has risen, the state has been looted, nepotism has been encouraged, and policies of divide-and-rule and appeasement have been prioritized. The people are eagerly awaiting 20th November to vote out the Hemant Soren government and bring in a BJP-led NDA government. The BJP has tried to work for every section of society and develop the country. All sections must unite together, as the INDIA alliance is attempting to divide people based on castes. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has emphasized that “Ek hain toh safe hain” 

Shri Nadda stated that in the post-COVID world, countries like the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, and China are facing economic struggles. However, according to the IMF, India has emerged as a ray of hope in the global economy. Previously ranked 11th, India has now become the 5th largest economy, surpassing Britain. In the third term of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India is on a path to becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world. It is the demand of time that Jharkhand should equally contribute to India’s development. The Agriculture budget has been increased by 5 times by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji. In steel manufacturing, India has moved up from 4th to 2nd place. In the automobile sector, India is now the 3rd largest market, surpassing Japan. A decade ago, mobile phones were labeled ‘Made in Indonesia’, ‘Made in China,’ ‘Made in Japan,’ and ‘Made in Taiwan,’ but today, 97% of mobile phone manufacturing takes place in India and even Apple phones are now ‘Made in India.’ Before 2014, even Ganesh Ji idols were imported from China. However, now in toy manufacturing, India has risen to the 3rd position globally. 

BJP National President Shri Nadda emphasized that India’s pharmaceutical exports have surged 138 times, positioning the country as the “pharmacy of the world.” India is now recognized for producing the most affordable and effective medicines. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, development has been propelled through the enhancement of highways, internet, railways, and airways, with an investment of ₹19 lakh crore over the past 10 years. Additionally, an extra ₹10 lakh crore will be allocated for further development in the coming years. The country has already built 145,000 kilometers of National highways. More than 61 Vande Bharat trains are operational. According to NITI Aayog, the Modi government has enabled 25 crore people in India to rise above the poverty line and transition into the middle-income group. This has been possible because the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is giving 5 Kg Rice or 5 Kg wheat and 5 Kg pulses to 80 crore people of the country. More than 2 crore 6 lakh beneficiaries are from Jharkhand and 13 lakh from Bokaro.

Shri Nadda stated that under Ayushman Bharat, 55 crore people have benefited, including 28 lakh families from Jharkhand who have received health coverage of ₹5 lakh to tackle severe diseases. On October 29, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji approved free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year for life for every citizen above 70, irrespective of caste, religion, or economic status. Such initiatives have lifted 25 crore people above the poverty line. Under the PM Awas Yojana, 4 crore people have been provided with pucca houses, including 18 lakh houses in Jharkhand and 82,000 in Bokaro. After being elected Prime Minister for the third time, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, in his first Cabinet meeting, decided that 3 crore more houses would be built. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the central government has constructed over 12 crore toilets across the country, including 41 lakh in Jharkhand. Through the Ujjwala Yojana, over 11 crore women have received gas cylinders. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 11.5 crore people now have tap water connections, including 1.5 lakh in Jharkhand. During the UPA tenure, Jharkhand received ₹80,000 crore from the central government. However, in the last 10 years under PM Shri Modi’s leadership, the allocation for Jharkhand has surged to ₹3 lakh crore.  

BJP National President Shri Nadda highlighted that Jharkhand holds a special place in PM Shri Narendra Modi’s heart. Ayushman Bharat was launched from Ranchi, Mudra Yojana from Dumka, and the journey toward a Viksit Bharat began in Khunti. PM Jan Dhan Yojana was also introduced in Khunti, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. AIIMS Deoghar has been established, ensuring that Jharkhand now has access to specialized healthcare for serious illnesses. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has also approved five medical colleges in Dumka, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Koderma, and Chaibasa, each sanctioned ₹250 crore. Additionally, 12 Vande Bharat trains now run through Jharkhand, ₹40 crore has been allocated for the development of Baidyanath Dham, and 2,256 km of national highways have been constructed. Work has begun on a six-lane green corridor connecting Varanasi, Ranchi, and Kolkata.  

Shri Nadda pointed out that the BJP promises transformative initiatives for Jharkhand if it forms the government. Under the Gogo Didi Yojana, ₹2,100 per month will be provided to women, totaling ₹25,000 annually. Following the BJP’s victory on November 23, the scheme will be launched after the first cabinet meeting. Under the Laxmi Johar Yojana, gas cylinders will cost ₹500, with two free cylinders provided during festivals each year. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji has also announced plans to supply affordable gas through pipelines, showcasing a rapidly changing India. If the BJP forms the government, 2.87 lakh government jobs will be provided, including 1.5 lakh by November 2025, and a total of 5 lakh employment opportunities will be generated. Graduates and postgraduates will receive ₹2,000 monthly for two years to assist with their studies. Paddy will be purchased at ₹3,100 per quintal, and farmers with up to 5 acres of land will receive ₹5,000 per acre under the Krishi Ashirwad Yojana. 

BJP National President Shri Nadda remarked that Congress once questioned the utility of the Internet in villages, claiming rural areas were too uneducated for such technology. Today, women across India use internet-enabled smartphones, and street vendors in small towns rely on QR codes for payments. Hemant Soren had betrayed his commitment to “Jal, Jameen, Maati.” His government has sold Jal, grabbed Jameen, and done injustice to Maati. The Soren administration allowed Bangladeshi infiltrators to settle in Jharkhand by seizing land from tribal people through manipulative marriages. After the BJP forms the government, strict laws will be enacted to prevent such practices and protect tribal land rights.  

BJP National President Shri Nadda stated that Hemant Soren has shown step motherly treatment to Gumia by neglecting basic amenities like electricity and water, deceiving the people. He also failed to provide the promised ₹2,000 as ‘Chulha Bhatta’ to women, the ₹50,000 loan to poor women, and ₹72,000 for poor families. The people should vote for hardworking NDA candidates on November 20 and ensure that such corrupt leaders are made unemployed. The Jharkhand government talks about Jal, Jungle, and Jameen, but in reality they have engaged in corruption at every level. The Soren government was involved in a ₹5,000 crore mining scam,  ₹4,000 crore Jal Jeevan scam, ₹5,000 crore mining scam, ₹236 crore land scam and Hemant Soren himself is implicated in a ₹236 crore land scam, for which he is currently out on bail. Shri Nadda also accused the Soren government of attempting to carry out ‘land jihad’ in the state by using Bangladeshi infiltrators. According to a recent intelligence report, these infiltrators enter and stay in madrasas, where they obtain Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, ration cards, and gas connections. Following this, the Hemant Soren government allegedly proceeds to grant them land. 

BJP National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda stated that not only Hemant Soren but the entire INDI Alliance is formed of corrupt leaders. The common thread between the RJD, Congress, and JMM is that all three parties are corrupt, dynastic, and thrive on appeasement and divisive politics. Lalu Yadav is on bail in a corruption case, and more than ₹300 crore was found at the residence of Congress leader Dhiraj Sahu, who is also on bail. Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam’s PA is in jail after being raided with ₹20 crore. Hemant Soren himself is on bail and is still under suspicion, with no clearance of his corruption charges. The leaders of the INDIA Alliance are either in jail or on bail. Under the governance of these parties, neither the country nor Jharkhand can flourish. In every state where the BJP has formed the government, it has addressed the concerns of all sections of society, including villages, Dalits, the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, the youth, farmers, and women. True development and progress can only be ensured under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the BJP, and the NDA. Therefore, the people of Jharkhand should support the NDA government in the upcoming elections on November 20.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha late on November 16, 2024. This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 kms for the Armed Forces.

The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal maneuvers and impact with high degree of accuracy.

This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners. The flight-trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and officers of the Armed Forces.

In a post on X, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh described the flight-trial as a historic achievement which has put India in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. He congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the team of DRDO which has actively contributed to this successful mission.

I am embarking on a five day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana.

At the invitation of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region. My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism. I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi.

In Brazil, I will attend the 19th G-20 Summit as a Troika member. Last year, India’s successful Presidency elevated the G-20 to people’s G-20 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its Agenda. This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders.

My visit to Guyana, at the invitation of H.E. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament.

During this visit, I will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. We have stood together through thick and thin. The Summit will enable us to renew historical ties and expand our cooperation into new domains.

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the Hindustan Times was inaugurated 100 years ago by  Mahatma Gandhi and congratulated the Hindustan Times (HT) for its historic journey of 100 years and all the people who were associated with it since its inauguration. He wished them the best for their future endeavours. Having visited the exhibition of HT at the venue, Shri Modi said it was more of an experience and urged all the delegates to visit it. He added that he witnessed the old newspapers of the days when India got its independence and constitution was enforced. Shri Modi acknowledged that many stalwarts like Martin Luther King, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr M.S Swaminathan had written articles for HT. He added that the long journey, which witnessed the freedom struggle as well as treading forward with hopes in the post-independence period, has been phenomenal and amazing. The Prime Minister said that he felt the same excitement to read the news about merger of Kashmir with India like every other citizen in October 1947. However, he added, at that moment he also realised how indecisiveness had kept Kashmir mired in violence for seven decades. Shri Modi said but it is heartening that these days news of record voting in the elections in J&K is published in papers. Shri Modi remarked that he found another newspaper print very special where on one side of it, there was news of Assam being declared a disturbed area while on the other side, there was news of Atal Ji laying the foundation of Bhartiya Janata Party. He added that it was such a pleasant coincidence that today BJP is playing a big role in bringing permanent peace in Assam.

Recalling his participation in the 1st Bodoland Mohotsov yesterday, Shri Modi remarked that he was astonished to find poor media coverage of the event. He added that it was a great achievement when the youth and people had given up violence after 5 decades and were celebrating a cultural event in Delhi. He added that the lives of the people had transformed after the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord. As part of the HT Summit exhibition, Shri Modi saw pictures of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and said there was a time when the people felt unsafe in their own house and cities due to the terror sponsored by the neighbouring countries. However, he added, now the times have changed and terrorists in their own houses don’t feel safe.

The Prime Minister remarked that in its 100 years, Hindustan Times has seen 25 years of slavery and 75 years of freedom along with the dispensations that have made India’s fate, shown direction to India along with the capability and wisdom of the common man of India. He added that experts have often made mistakes in recognizing this capability of the common citizen of India. Touching upon history, Shri Modi said when the British were leaving India, it was said that the country would disintegrate & break down and when  emergency was imposed, some people had assumed that now the emergency will remain forever while some people and institutions had taken refuge with those who imposed the emergency. Even at that point of time, Shri Modi said, the citizens of India stood up and uprooted the emergency. Further explaining the strength of common man, Shri Modi hailed the spirit of common citizens in fighting a strong battle against the COVID pandemic.

Touching upon the past, the Prime Minister said there was a time in the 1990’s when India had seen 5 elections in a span of 10 years evident of the instability in the country. He added that while the experts writing in the newspapers had predicted that things would continue in the same manner, the citizens of India had once again proved them wrong. Shri Modi said that today, there is talk of uncertainty and instability all around the world with many countries in the world seeing new dispensations coming to power, whereas in India, people had elected the same government for the third time.

Talking about policies in the past, Shri Modi said  the phrase ‘Good economics is bad politics’ was being promoted by experts and supported by the Governments. This, he said, had become a means to the earlier Governments to cover up bad governance and inefficiency. He added that this had led to an unbalanced development in the country which had hampered the trust of the people in the Government. The Prime Minister remarked that his Government had won back the trust of the people by ensuring the Mantra of Progress of the people, Progress by the people and Progress for the people. He added that the Government’s aim was to build a new and developed India and the people of India had entrusted them with the capital of their trust. Shri Modi remarked that despite misinformation, disinformation in the age of social media, the citizens of India have faith in us, in our government.

Shri Modi highlighted that when the trust of the people increases, their confidence increases, which results in a different effect on the development of the country. Emphasising on the importance of Risk-taking, Shri Modi remarked that our ancestors took risk which helped us to promote Indian goods and services in the foreign countries and make India a hotspot of commerce and culture. However, he added, that this culture of risk-taking was lost in the post-independence period by the previous Governments. Shri Modi remarked that India was seeing development and changes in the last 10 years since his Government came to power and gave new energy to the risk taking culture among the citizens of India. He added that our youth were finding opportunities and  taking risks in various fields which was evident in the registration of more than 1.25 lakh startups in India. The Prime Minister said there was a time when even taking up sports as a profession was a risk. However, he added, today, even the youth of our small towns are taking this risk and bringing glory to the country in the world. Citing example of the women associated with self-help groups, Shri Modi said today, about 1 crore lakhpati didis are running their own businesses by becoming entrepreneurs in every village.

“Indian society, today, is filled with unprecedented aspirations and We have made these aspirations the basis of our policies”, said Shri Modi. He added that the Government had promoted a model of development consisting of the combination of employment through investment and dignity through development. The Prime Minister added that where there is investment, employment is generated through investment leading to development and that development increases the dignity of the citizens of India. He cited the example of building toilets in the country, which is a means of security and dignity along with convenience. Shri Modi said it also accelerated development, thereby making evident the success of the mantra of Employment through Investment, Dignity through Development on ground. He also cited the example of LPG gas cylinders, which was considered as a status symbol in the past. Shri Modi remarked that his Government made it a priority to provide gas connection to every house while previous Governments were debating on the number of cylinders to be given to people. He added that there were more than 30 crore gas connections in the country as against 14 crore in 2014. Shri Modi further highlighted that there was supporting infrastructure to ensure the demand of the gas cylinders is met. This, he said, had also created employment right from setting up of bottling plants at various places to creating distribution centres to delivery of cylinders. Shri Modi also listed other examples such as mobile phone, Rupay card, UPI etc which were based on the Investment to Employment, Development to Dignity model of development.

The Prime Minister  emphasized that it was imperative to understand another approach of the government to understand the growth trajectory that India is on today. He added that the approach was “Spend Big For The People and Save Big For The People”. Explaining the same, Shri Modi said, India’s union budget is Rs. 48 lakh crore today as against  Rs. 16 lakh crore in 2014. He added that today’s capital expenditure is more than Rs. 11 lakh crore as against  Rs. 2.25 lakh crore in 2013-14. He further added that the capital expenditure was being spent on new hospitals, schools, roads, railways, research facilities and many such public infrastructure. The Prime Minister underlined that along with increasing expenditure on the public, the Government was also saving the public’s money. Presenting the facts and figures, Shri Modi said that the leakage that has been stopped by DBT has saved the country Rs. 3.5 lakh crore while Free treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana has saved Rs 1.10 lakh crore for the poor. He added that Medicines available at 80% discount at Jan Aushadhi Kendras have saved Rs 30 thousand crore for the citizens while Controlling the prices of stents and knee implants has saved thousands of crores of rupees for the people. Continuing the list, he added the Ujala scheme has saved Rs 20 thousand crore in electricity bills for the people while Diseases have reduced due to Swachh Bharat Mission and this has saved about Rs 50 thousand for every family in the villages. Citing UNICEF report, Shri Modi said that the family which has its own toilet is also saving about Rs 70 thousand and WHO study  conducted on 12 crore people whose homes have tap water for the first time have saved more than Rs 80 thousand every year.

Remarking that 10 years ago, nobody had anticipated such big changes in India to take place, Shri Modi said “India’s success inspired us to dream bigger and fulfil it”. He added that this had raised hope and thought that this century will be India’s century. Emphasizing that it was necessary to undertake many efforts to move in this direction, Shri Modi said the Government was working swiftly to do the best in every sector. He remarked that efforts are needed to make our processes such that India’s standard is referred to as ‘world class’ be it in the manufacturing of products or construction, education or entertainment. Shri Modi remarked that Hindustan Times also had a very big role in reiterating this approach in the minds of the people and their 100 years of experience will be very useful in the journey towards a developed India.

Concluding the speech, Shri Modi expressed confidence that India will maintain this pace of development and soon become the third largest economy in the world. He added that Hindustan Times will also witness the new century of rapidly changing India.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today condoled the loss of lives in the Jhansi Medical college in Uttar Pradesh. He assured that under the state government’s supervision, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way.

In a post on X, he wrote:

“हृदयविदारक! उत्तर प्रदेश में झांसी के मेडिकल कॉलेज में आग लगने से हुआ हादसा मन को व्यथित करने वाला है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपने मासूम बच्चों को खो दिया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी शोक-संवेदनाएं। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि उन्हें इस अपार दुख को सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करे। राज्य सरकार की देखरेख में स्थानीय प्रशासन राहत और बचाव के हरसंभव प्रयास में जुटा है: PM @narendramodi”

Shri Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the fire mishap in Jhansi Medical College, UP. He added that the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted on X:

“PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in the fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi marked the commencement of 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs 6,640 crore in Jamui, Bihar today.

The Prime Minister welcomed Governors, Chief Ministers, Union Ministers of various states who were participating in the tribal day functions across various districts of India. He also welcomed the innumerable tribal brothers and sisters who had virtually joined the program from across India. Terming today as a very holy day, Shri Modi remarked that Karthik Poonima, Dev Deepawali as well as 550th Birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji was being observed and greeted the citizens of India for the same. The Prime Minister said that today was also a historic day for the citizens as it was the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda being celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. He greeted the citizens of India and tribal brothers and sisters, in particular. The Prime Minister noted that Swachhata Abhiyan was held in the past 3 days in Jamui as a precursor to today’s Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. He congratulated various stakeholders like the administration, citizens of Jamui and women folk in particular for the Swachhata Abhiyan.

Recalling that he was in Dharthi Abha Birsa Munda’s birth village Ulihatu on last year’s Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Shri Modi remarked that this year he was in place which had witnessed the bravery of martyr Tilka Manjhi and added that this occasion was even more special as the country was marking the commencement of 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He added that the celebrations would go on for the upcoming year. The Prime Minister also congratulated the one crore people from various villages who had joined virtually in today’s event at Jamui, Bihar. Shri Modi said he was pleased to welcome the descendant of Birsa Munda, Shri Budharam Munda and descendant of Sidhu Kanhu, Shri Mandal Murmu today.

The Prime Minister remarked that the inauguration and laying of foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6640 crore was done today. He added that projects comprised around 1.5 lakh approval letters for pucca houses for tribals, schools and hostels for the betterment of tribal children’s future, health facilities for tribal women, road projects connecting tribal areas, tribal museums and research centres to conserve the tribal culture. Shri Modi remarked that there was Grih Pravesh of 11,000 Awas built for the tribals on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepavali. He congratulated all the tribals on this occasion.

Highlighting today’s celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav divas and beginning the Janjatiya Gaurav year, Shri Modi said the celebrations marked an honest attempt to correct a major historical injustice. He added that the Tribals had not received their due recognition in the society in the post-independence period. Highlighting the contributions of tribal society, the Prime Minister said it was the tribal society which transformed Prince Ram to Lord Ram as well as led the fight for centuries to protect India’s culture and independence. However, he added, there were attempts to wipe out such important contributions of tribal society in the decades after independence fueled by selfish politics. Enlisting the various contributions of tribals for India’s independence like the Ulgulan movement, Kol rebellion, Santhal rebellion, Bhil movement, Shri Modi said the contributions of tribals was immense. He added that various tribal leaders from across India like Alluri Sitarama raju, Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu Kanhu, Budhu Bhagat, Telang Kharia, Govinda Guru, Telangana’s Ramji Gond, Madhya Pradesh’s Badal Bhoi, Raja Shankar Shah, Kuvar Raghunath Shah, Tantya Bhil, Jatra Bhagat, Lakshman Naik, Mizoram’s Ropuiliani, Raj Mohini Devi, Rani Gaidinliu, Kalibai, Gondwana’s queen Rani Durgavati Devi and numerous others could never be forgotten. Shri Modi also remarked that the Mangarh Massacre, where the Britishers had killed thousands of tribals, could not be forgotten.

Emphasising that his Government’s mindset, be it in the field of culture or social justice, was different, Shri Modi said it was their good fortune to elect Smt. Droupadi Murmu as the President of India. He added that she was the first adivasi President of India and the credit for all the works incepted under the PM-JANMAN yojana goes to the President. Underling that the Rs 24,000 Crore PM JANMAN yojana was launched for the empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Shri Modi said under the scheme, development of settlements of the most backward tribes of the country is being ensured. He noted that the scheme had completed one year today and thousands of pucca houses were given to the PVTGs under the scheme. The Prime Minister also noted that the road development projects were under progress to ensure connectivity between PVTG settlements and drinking water was ensured under the Har Ghar Jal scheme in many houses of PVTGs.

Highlighting that he worships those who were totally ignored, Shri Modi said the tribal societies lacked basic infrastructure for decades due to attitudes of the previous governments. He added that dozens of tribal-dominated districts in the country had lagged behind in the pace of development. Shri Modi said their Government had changed the process of thinking and declared them as ‘Aspirational Districts’ and have posted efficient officers for their development. He was pleased that today many such aspirational districts had fared better than many developed districts in various developmental parameters. He added that benefits of this were accrued to the tribals.

“Tribal welfare has always been the priority of our government”, said the Prime Minister. He added that it was Atal ji’s Government which formed a separate Ministry for Tribal affairs. Shri Modi noted that the budgetary allocation was increased 5 times from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crores in the last 10 years. Shri Modi said a special scheme named Dharti Abha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) was started recently benefitting more than 60,000 tribal villages. He added that Rs. 80,000 crores was being invested through the scheme which aimed at ensuring availability of basic facilities in the tribal villages along with creating job opportunities and training of the tribal youths. He also added that Tribal Marketing centers would be set up along with training and support to create homestays as part of the scheme. This, he added, will strengthen tourism as well as make eco-tourism a possibility in the tribal dominated areas which would stop the migration of tribals.

Highlighting the efforts undertaken to preserve the tribal heritage by the Government, Shri Modi remarked that many tribal artists were conferred with Padma awards. He added that a tribal museum named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda was started in Ranchi and urged all the school children to visit and study it. He was also pleased that a tribal Museum named after Badal Bhoi in Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh and tribal Museums named after Raja Shankar Shah and Kuvar Raghunath Shah in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh were inaugurated today. He also noted that two Tribal Research centres were inaugurated today in Srinagar and Sikkim along with unveiling of a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda today. Shri Modi remarked that all these efforts will constantly remind the people of India about the bravery and respect of the Tribes.

Emphasising the great contribution of tribal society in the ancient medicine system of India, Shri Modi remarked that this heritage was also being protected along with adding new dimensions for the future generations. He added that the Government had set up National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, upgraded the North-Eastern institute of Ayurved and Folk Medicine research in Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Modi said the Government was also setting up the upcoming Global center for traditional medicine under the auspices of WHO, which will help further propagate the traditional medicine system of Tribals across the world.

“Our government’s focus is on education, income and medicine of the tribal society”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He was pleased that the tribal children were coming forward in various fields like medical, engineering, armed forces or aviation. This, he said, was the result of creation of better prospects from school to higher education in the last decade in the tribal areas. The Prime Minister underlined that his Government had added 2 new Tribal universities in the last decade as against the one Central tribal university in six decades of post-independence period. He added that many degree and engineering colleges along with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) were started in the Tribal dominated areas in the last decade. Shri Modi also noted that in the last decade, 30 new Medical colleges were started in the tribal areas along with ongoing works in many new medical colleges including one in Jamui, Bihar. He added that a strong network of 7000 Ekalavya schools across the country was also being developed.

Noting that language has been a barrier for the tribal students in the medical, engineering and technical education, Shri Modi said the Government had provided the option of taking up exams in mother tongue. He added that these decisions had given a new hope to the tribal students.

Highlighting the achievements of the tribal youth in winning medals in international sports events in the last decade, Shri Modi said the Government had undertaken efforts to improve the sports infrastructure in the tribal areas. He added that modern playgrounds, sports complexes were being developed as part of Khelo India Abhiyan in the tribal dominated areas. He also noted that India’s first national sports university was started in Manipur.

The Prime Minister remarked that laws related to Bamboo were very strict even after 70 years of Independence causing huge difficulties to tribal society. He added that his Government had eased the laws related to Bamboo farming. Shri Modi noted that around 90 forest products were brought under the ambit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) as against 8-10 forest products in the past. He added that more than 4,000 Van Dhan Kendras were operating today in India, helping around 12 lakh tribal farmers.

“Around 20 lakh tribal women have become Lakhpati Didi since the inception of the scheme”, said Shri Modi. He added that Tribal Haats were being set up in major cities for the tribal products like baskets, toys and other handicrafts. Shri Modi remarked that a Global Marketplace was being created on the internet for tribal handicraft products. He added that he also ensured to give tribal products and artefacts like Sohrai painting, Warli painting, Gond Painting when he met international leaders and dignitaries.

Noting that Sickle Cell Anaemia has been a major challenge for the tribal communities, Shri Modi said the Government had started a National Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission. In the one year of the mission, he added, 4.5 crore tribals were screened. The Prime Minister said that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were developed so that the tribals wouldn’t have to go too far to get screened. He added that Mobile Medical Units were set up in the inaccessible tribal areas.

Highlighting India’s major role in the world in the fight against Climate Change, Shri Modi said that this was due to the values taught by the tribal societies which was the core of our thoughts. Adding that the tribal societies venerated nature, Shri Modi announced the creation of Birsa Munda Janjatiya Upvans in the tribal dominated areas to observe the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He added that 500 thousand trees will be planted in the Upvans.

Concluding his address, Shri Modi said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary inspires us to make big resolutions. He urged the people to work together to make the tribal ideas the basis for building a new India, conserve the tribal heritage, learn what has been preserved by the tribal society for centuries to ensure the building of a strong, prosperous and powerful India.

Governor of Bihar, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister for Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durga Das Uikey were present on the occasion among others.

Background

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Jamui, Bihar to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the commencement of the 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region.

Prime Minister participated in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 Awas built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). He also inaugurated 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Prime Minister inaugurated 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crore, dedicated to tribal students. He also inaugurated two Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir and Gangtok, Sikkim to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) to act as community hubs under PM JANMAN. He also laid the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth over Rs 1,110 crore, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children.

Prime Minister also sanctioned various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth over Rs 1960 crore; 66 Hostels under PM JANMAN and 304 Hostels under DAJGUA worth over Rs. 1100 crores; 50 new Multi-Purpose Centres, 55 Mobile Medical Units and 65 Anganwadi Centres under PM JANMAN; 6 Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crore.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today unveiled a grand statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Baansera Park in New Delhi on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary year. The event was attended by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Minister of State Shri Harsh Malhotra, and several other dignitaries.

In his address during the program, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that in 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had announced that the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (November 15) would be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day). He stated that it was on this very day that Bhagwan Birsa Munda was born in a small village in Jharkhand. Shri Shah said that in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the coming year, till 15 November 2025, will be celebrated as Adivasi Gaurav Varsh. He said that on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the Modi government has also decided to change the name of Sarai Kale Khan Chowk to ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chowk’.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda not only became the savior of his original tribal culture, but in his short life of 25 years, he explained to many people of the country through his deeds how to lead one’s life and what should be the aim and goal in our lives. He said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda has definitely been one of the great heroes of freedom struggle. He said that born in the year 1875, Bhagwan Birsa Munda at a very young age, raised his voice against religious conversion during his secondary education. Shri Shah said that when the whole of India and two-thirds of the world was ruled by the British, at that time Birsa Munda displayed the courage of standing firmly against religious conversion and later this determination and bravery transformed him into a leader of this country. He added that from the jail in Ranchi to the Queen of England, national hero Birsa Munda ji had become the voice of the countrymen.

Shri Amit Shah said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda revived the concept that water, forest and land are integral elements of tribal ecosystem, livelihood and culture and they are everything for the tribals. He said that Birsa Munda spread various other awareness in the tribal society. He opposed alcohol consumption, the exploitative system of the landlords and the British Raj. Shri Shah said that the entire country will be grateful to Bhagwan Birsa Munda for the social reforms of the tribal society of this country, for the freedom struggle and for the anti-conversion movement.

Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, also known as “Dharti Aba” (Father of the Earth), can be seen by dividing it into two parts. The first part is his commitment towards protecting the tribal culture while the second part is his passion to make the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the motherland and its protection. He added that at the age of just 25, Bhagwan Birsa Munda lit the flame of revolution against the British rule and drew the attention of not only the country but the whole world towards the condition of the tribals and wrote such a saga with his works that even after 150 years, the whole country bows before him today.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that tribals participated enthusiastically in the freedom struggle against the British across the country, but unfortunately these great heroes were forgotten after independence. He said that in the year 2015, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi decided to build museums of 20 tribal great heroes in the country at a cost of ₹200 crore so that children can become familiar with the lives of these great heroes. He said that three museums have been built so far. PM Modi has inaugurated Bhagwan Birsa Munda Museum in Ranchi, Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah Museum in Jabalpur and Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Chhindwara. All the remaining museums will be ready by the year 2026.

Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s government has done a lot of work for tribal pride. He said that for the first time in 75 years after independence, the Modi government has given a tribal the opportunity to become the President of India. He said that Smt. Droupadi Murmu is the daughter of a poor tribal family and today she is adorning the position of the first citizen of the country. Shri Shah said that in the last 10 years, Shri Narendra Modi’s government has almost eliminated Naxalism, which was blocking development in tribal areas and misleading the children.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the opposition parties’ government had a budget of only ₹28,000 crore for the development of tribals, while the Modi government has made a provision of ₹1,33,000 crore for the development of tribals in the budget for the year 2024-25. He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh ​​Gram Yojana, all the basic facilities have been fully provided in 26,428 tribal villages. He said that under the District Mineral Foundation Scheme, ₹97 thousand crore was distributed in tribal areas, 708 Eklavya Model Residential Schools were built, ₹15,000 crore under Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission and ₹24,000 crore under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan have been given for the complete development of 63,000 villages.

“Energy today has become the spinal cord for economic growth and development,” said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, during the inaugural ceremony of GEO India 2024, India’s premier South Asian Geosciences Conference and Exhibition in Greater Noida today. In his keynote address, Shri Puri highlighted the critical importance of energy in driving economic progress, especially in a country like India, where the demand for energy is increasing rapidly in line with its growing economy.

The Minister expressed his delight at being part of the event, which brings together leading experts from the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector both from India and abroad. GEO India 2024, organized by the Association of Petroleum Geologists, India, is the sixth edition of the conference and exhibition, with the theme “Exploring New Dimensions of Energy Dynamics.”

With India’s fuel demand growing at three times the global average, Shri Puri highlighted that 67 million people visit petrol pumps every day in India. This surging demand is expected to drive 25% of the global increase in energy consumption over the next two decades. “Balancing the trilemma of availability, affordability, and sustainability is not only a priority but a commitment that we are meeting head-on with a focus on exploration, production, and energy security,” he said.

India’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with the country boasting 651.8 million metric tons of recoverable crude oil reserves and 1,138.6 billion cubic meters of recoverable natural gas reserves within its sedimentary basins. Despite these abundant resources, a significant portion of India’s exploration potential remains untapped. Shri Puri pointed out that when the current government took office in 2014, only 6% of India’s sedimentary basins had been explored. Today, this figure has risen to 10%, and with further exploration activity under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) rounds, this is set to increase to 16% by 2025. By 2030, the government aims to expand the nation’s exploration acreage to 1 million square kilometers, further bolstering India’s energy security.

The Minister also outlined several significant reforms implemented under the current government to stimulate growth in India’s energy sector. Key reforms include simplifying the approval process for exploration and production activities, reducing 37 approval processes to just 18, of which nine are now available for self-certification. Additionally, the introduction of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill in 2024 ensures policy stability for oil and gas producers, allows for international arbitration, and extends lease periods. Furthermore, the government has reduced “No-Go” areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by almost 99%, opening up vast new areas for exploration.

Shri Puri also highlighted the shift from the previous regime’s Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) to the new Revenue Sharing Contracts (RSCs), which provide greater clarity and predictability for investors. He emphasized the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising stakeholders from private E&P companies, National Oil Companies, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) to address industry concerns and improve the ease of doing business.

Another key area of focus has been improving access to data concerning India’s sedimentary basins. The government has made significant strides in facilitating data availability through initiatives like the National Seismic Programme (NSP) for onshore areas, EEZ surveys for offshore areas, and the opening up of previously unexplored regions such as the Andaman Basin. Shri Puri noted that the government is also making data more accessible to international companies by setting up a new data centre at the University of Houston, enabling foreign firms to view critical geological data with ease.

The recent Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) bidding round IX marked a historic milestone, with 136,596 square kilometers of exploration area offered in 28 blocks across 8 sedimentary basins. Notably, 38% of the area offered in this round had previously been classified as “No-Go” areas. The round saw a strong response, with a total of 60 bids received for the 28 blocks, reflecting heightened interest from both Indian and foreign companies. The average number of bids per block increased to 2.4, compared to just 1.3 per block in the previous round.

Looking ahead, Shri Puri expressed optimism about India’s energy future, particularly in the field of green hydrogen. With projects focused on hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines, the localization of electrolyser technologies, and the promotion of bio-pathways for green hydrogen production, India is positioning itself as a future global leader in green hydrogen production and exports. The Minister emphasized that green hydrogen is seen as the fuel of the future, and India is committed to becoming a global hub for its production.

GEO India 2024, is expected to draw around 2,000 participants and feature over 20 conference sessions, 4 plenary discussions, 200+ technical papers, and 50+ exhibition booths.  “I have great faith in the innovative minds of geoscientists to lead an energy revolution in India, ensuring energy security for every citizen and meeting future challenges,” Shri Puri said.

Shri Puri encouraged the participants of GEO India 2024 to continue fostering innovation, embracing sustainability, and collaborating to address the challenges of the future.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today extended warm greetings on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Jayanti. He remarked that the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspire us to further the spirit of compassion, kindness and humility.

In a post on X, he wrote:

“Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Jayanti. May the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspire us to further the spirit of compassion, kindness and humility. May it also motivate us to serve society and make our planet better.”

“ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਪੁਰਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ-ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖਿਆਵਾਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਦਇਆ, ਦਿਆਲਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਦੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਤ ਕਰਨ। ਇਹ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਮਾਜ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਹਤਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਤ ਕਰਨ।“