Jammu, Nov 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today participated in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations at the Convention Centre in Jammu, paying tribute to iconic tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The event, which was observed virtually by the Lieutenant Governor, marked the occasion dedicated to honoring the contributions of Munda and other tribal communities in the freedom movement and nation-building.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor outlined the signiicant steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve the welfare of tribal communities in the region.
“For the first time, the welfare of tribal communities, who had been marginalized for decades, has been placed at the heart of the government’s development agenda,” he remarked.
He, further, emphasised that the government had made historic strides in the past four years to uplift the tribal population through various initiatives. These include the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, Pradhan Mantri Van-Dhan Vikas Yojana, Van Dhan Self-Help Groups, Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, and the allotment of 5 marla land under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for landless tribal families. New tribal hostels, smart schools, special scholarships, and other initiatives are also paving the way for a brighter future, the Lieutenant Governor added.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of tribal communities, promoting their cultural and linguistic heritage, and ensuring equal opportunities in all sectors. “Our aim has always been to protect the interests of tribals and improve the welfare of women and youth in the community,” he stated.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the IEC Campaign of Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which aims to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods, thereby ensuring sustainable development in tribal areas.
Senior officials including Minister of Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Member of Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, and others were present at the function.
In a separate function, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also addressed the prestigious All India Vedic Conference-2024 at Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The event was graced by Param Pujya Mahamandleshwar Acharya Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giri Ji Maharaj and other spiritual leaders.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the need for a balance between material progress and the development of a compassionate society. He underscored the crucial roles of both scientists and spiritualists in achieving this balance, advocating that ‘Science’ and ‘Sanskar’ are equally important for the holistic growth of humanity.
“The Vedas have always provided a holistic understanding of the world, including science, mathematics, and medicine, which have driven new inventions and innovations for the welfare of humankind,” LG Sinha said. He further added, “The spiritual journey leads us towards self-realization, while scientific progress provides us with technologies that improve our quality of life and ensure the welfare of society.”
The Lieutenant Governor concluded by emphasising that Vedic wisdom, which nurtures both the mind and the heart, continues to guide future generations. He expressed his belief that the timeless ethics and values of the Vedas will help ensure material prosperity while guiding individuals on the path of righteousness and Dharma.
The conference was organised by Maharishi Sandipani Ved Vidya Pratisthan and Vedasthali Shodh Sansthan, Suratgiri Ashram.
