New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the national tribal festival 'Aadi Mahotsav' at Dilli Haat, here on Saturday.
Inaugurating the national tribal festival, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been standing solidly behind the tribal population like a "brother" and ensuring that they get benefits of government welfare schemes.
"In 70 years since Independence, the tribals were used by the Congress as vote bank. The party did nothing for the welfare of the tribals. Whenever the BJP came to power, it initiated a series of development schemes for the tribals," he said.
The home minister said the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry came into existence when BJP's Atal Bihar Vajpayee was the prime minister and the tribals are the biggest beneficiaries of the Modi goverment's welfare schemes for free houses, cooking gas supply, electricity connections.
"If anyone has the first right over India's resources, it is the tribals and the poor of the country," he said.
The home minister fondly remembered tribal icon Birsa Munda, saying the country can't forget his fight against the British to give the tribals their rights. He also praised the tribals for their contribution in protection of forests and environment.
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda presided the inaugural ceremony, while Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta was the Guest of Honour.
The theme of the 15-day festival, which will go on till November 30, is "a Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce".
The festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric, and jewellery through 200 stalls.
Over 1000 tribal artists from 27 States are participating in the festival, which will be marked by various performances and cultural shows, showcasing rich tribal cultural diversity.
Speaking to ETV Bharat at the event, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said that female artisans, especially from rural areas will benefit immensely through such platforms.
"We need to promote such platforms and take PM Modi's vision forward," he said, conveying to all tribal communities to be proud of their culture and actively take part in the country's development by striving for self-dependence, education, and employment.
26 such festivals are planned to be organised during the current financial year, out of which, eight festivals have already been organised at Shimla, Ooty, Leh-Ladakh, Visakhapatnam, Noida, Indore, Pune and Bhubaneswar wherein about 900 tribal artisans participated.
Read: Ancient form of Santhal puppetry hopes to get new lease of life
