CM Majhi Highlights Tribal Culture’s Role in Odisha’s Development at Adivasi Shakti Samavesh

Baripada, June 18 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday underscored the vital role of tribal culture in the state’s rich cultural fabric while inaugurating the state-level Adivasi Shakti Samavesh at Chhau Podia, Baripada. The event marked one year of the state government’s tenure and was organized by the Department of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes Development, and Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare.

Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi stated, “Tribal culture has taken a special place in the cultural richness of Odisha. To realize the vision of a prosperous Odisha in the next 11 years, it is essential to ensure the development of the tribal and scheduled caste communities, who make up around 40% of the state’s population.”

The Adivasi Shakti Samavesh served as a platform to bring together tribal communities from across Odisha, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. The Chief Minister emphasized that the convention aims to address the challenges faced by tribal communities while enhancing their access to education, healthcare, and social welfare.

Highlighting recent initiatives, CM Majhi mentioned that the Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission has improved the economic conditions of 1.45 lakh tribal families through interventions in agriculture, irrigation, and animal husbandry. He also announced the launch of the Shaheed Madho Singh Hatha Yojana to make education more accessible to tribal students at the secondary and higher secondary levels.

Further, the government has earmarked ₹100 crore for the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Adarsh Ashram Vidyalaya Yojana to upgrade residential tribal schools into modern institutions. The PM-Janman Yojana, aimed at uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), is set to benefit nearly 2.95 lakh individuals across 1,679 villages in 14 districts.

In a major cultural investment, foundation stones were laid for the Tribal Culture and Heritage Bhavan (₹100 crore) and the Tribal Language Institute (₹50 crore), both of which are expected to preserve and promote Odisha’s diverse tribal heritage.

CM Majhi also took pride in Mayurbhanj district’s representation in the legislative assembly, with seven tribal MLAs, and hailed President Droupadi Murmu, a native of the district, as a symbol of national pride and perseverance.

Distinguished tribal personalities were felicitated during the event for their contributions to tribal folklore and culture. The convention was also attended by School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, along with several MPs and MLAs from Mayurbhanj district.