Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return to Delhi was delayed on Friday due to a technical snag in his aircraft, which occurred in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had visited Jamui in Bihar to pay tribute to the tribal leader Birsa Munda on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the beginning of celebrations for Munda’s 150th birth anniversary. During the event, Modi interacted with cultural performers and even tried his hand at playing a traditional dhol drum, joining in the festivities. He was also presented with an idol of Birsa Munda to commemorate the occasion.
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to highlight his government’s focus on tribal welfare. At the Jamui rally, he unveiled development projects worth ₹6,640 crore and released a commemorative coin and stamp in Munda’s honor. He praised the earlier NDA government for creating a separate ministry for tribal welfare, and noted how his administration had significantly increased the budget for tribal development, from ₹25,000 crores to ₹1.25 lakh crores.
“We’ve recently launched special schemes for the development of over 60,000 tribal villages across the country,” Modi said, referring to the Dharti Aaba, Janjatiya Gram, Utkarsh Abhiyan initiative aimed at boosting infrastructure and creating employment opportunities in these communities. The government plans to invest ₹80,000 crore in these villages, with the goal of providing essential services while also fostering youth training and job prospects.
PM Modi also reflected on the significance of the day, mentioning how he had visited Ulihatu, Birsa Munda’s birthplace, the previous year. “Today, I stand on the land where the bravery of martyr Tilka Manjhi is remembered,” he added, highlighting the event’s importance in the context of the ongoing national celebrations.
Despite the aircraft delay, Modi’s visit to Jharkhand underscored his government’s commitment to the upliftment of tribal communities across India.
