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Itanagar/Imphal, Nov 15 (IANS) To improve educational access for tribal communities in remote areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation stone of an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Kombo in Central Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district.
A senior official said the EMRS, which will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aims to provide quality education, residential facilities and holistic development opportunities to tribal students in remote and tribal inhabited areas.
The virtual ceremony was attended by Governor Lieutenant General (retd) KT Paranaik and Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Both the Governor and the Chief Minister later emphasized the transformative role of EMRS in strengthening the educational infrastructure in areas inhabited by indigenous tribes.
In Imphal, a Raj Bhavan official said the Prime Minister addressed the nation from Gujarat’s Narmada district on Saturday as part of celebrating National Tribal Pride Day to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with other dignitaries, attended the event as part of the state-level function at the City Convention Centre, Imphal.
The event organized by the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills saw the presentation of recognition certificates under Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan and Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan 2025, which were originally awarded by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to the Deputy Commissioners of Senapati, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of Tribal Frames 2025 and Tribal Lens 2025.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that Tribal Pride Day is observed as a national tribute to Lord Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary by honoring his enduring legacy of leadership, courage and social reform.
He said the day is also an opportunity to honor the heritage and cultural wealth of the tribal communities of Manipur, whose values of cooperation, environmental harmony, craftsmanship and self-governance are integral to the identity of the state.
Recalling the legacy of Rani Gaidinliu, the Governor emphasized that her youthful defiance against colonial rule and her commitment to indigenous belief systems epitomized the spiritual and cultural foundations of India’s independence movement.
Governor Bhalla further noted that Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas reiterated the government’s determination to advance tribal welfare in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.
The event was attended by several MLAs, Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Padma Shri awardees, senior officials, representatives of various tribal communities and other distinguished guests.
–IANS
SC/UK