“Modi government has worked to bring tribal communities into the mainstream of national development”

Udaipur/New Delhi: BJP’s newly appointed National President of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) Morcha and Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat formally assumed charge at a dignified ceremony held in New Delhi.

The ceremony was attended by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey, BJP National Organiser V. Satish, former ST Morcha National President Sameer Oraon, Union Minister Savitri Thakur, MP Nagendra Ji, Mukesh Bhai Rathwa, office in-charge Pradeep Kanojia, along with senior BJP leaders, office-bearers and party workers.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mannalal Rawat said that India is transforming rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with tribal communities increasingly becoming an integral part of the country’s development journey.

He said the government is focusing not only on development but also on preserving India’s heritage, traditions and cultural identity. With a saturation approach, efforts are being made to ensure that tribal communities receive the full benefits of government welfare and development schemes.

Rawat highlighted initiatives such as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, programmes associated with Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and development initiatives in tribal regions. He said the larger objective is to ensure the complete participation of tribal communities in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said the Modi government has played a significant role in ensuring that government schemes reach the last person in society. He appreciated the contribution of former national president Sameer Oraon in strengthening the ST Morcha and said the BJP government has accorded priority to development in tribal areas, including housing, electricity, drinking water and other basic facilities.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said tribal communities today have significant representation in the country’s leadership. He said the Narendra Modi government has made substantial efforts to bring tribal communities into the mainstream and pointed to their representation in key constitutional and political positions, including the office of the President of India, Union ministries, and the offices of Governors and Chief Ministers in several states.

Oram said the government is undertaking unprecedented initiatives for the development and empowerment of tribal communities and called upon party workers to ensure their active participation in the vision of a developed India.

BJP National Organiser V. Satish described the ST Morcha as one of the party’s important organisational wings, playing a crucial role in taking the government’s policies and the organisation’s message to tribal communities.

He emphasised the need to strengthen the party’s organisational presence at every tribal booth, particularly in areas with a high concentration of ST voters. He also highlighted sickle cell anaemia as a major health challenge affecting tribal communities and stressed the need for large-scale efforts towards early detection, tracking and prevention.

Speakers at the programme said that under the vision of “Development, Heritage and Service,” continuous efforts are being made for the comprehensive development of tribal communities. They reiterated that both the government and the organisation remain committed to connecting tribal communities with the mainstream of development and ensuring that welfare schemes reach the last beneficiary.

Concluding the ceremony, Dr. Mannalal Rawat expressed gratitude to the party’s senior leadership and all leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility. He said he would work with complete dedication and commitment to further strengthen the ST Morcha across the country and expand the organisation’s reach among tribal communities.

On the occasion, former national president Sameer Oraon felicitated former office-bearers by presenting them with shawls. The programme was conducted by Morcha General Secretary Kali Ram Manjhi.