Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, along with Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, grandly inaugurated the three-day Uttarakhand Adi Rangotsav in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand. On this occasion, tribal artists from various states across the country presented a rich glimpse of tribal heritage through their traditional attire, folk dances, folk music, and cultural performances.

During the event, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed and honored Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister Shri Jual Oram by presenting them with saplings and statues of Maharana Pratap. The Chief Minister also congratulated the cast and crew of the film Hanuman Ansh on stage, honoring them with saplings, a mace (gada) of Lord Hanuman, and a photograph of Neem Karoli Baba.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram recalled former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure and reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to the development of the tribal society. He stated that after Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1999, a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created. Its objective was to work systematically toward the overall development of various tribal communities, including Tharu, Boksa, and Jaunsari. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, was formed in the year 1999.

Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister Shri Jual Oram noted that joint efforts made the construction of the Eklavya Model Residential School in Khatima possible. He announced that the Government of India would spend approximately 10 crore on the expansion and enhancement of facilities at the Khatima Eklavya School.

He informed that the tender process for a hostel to be built at a cost of approximately ₹4 crore has been completed, and construction work will begin soon. The school will have a total capacity of 480 students, comprising 240 boys and 240 girls. The standard capacity for Eklavya Model Residential Schools is also 480 students.

Praising the 100% examination pass rate of the Khatima Eklavya School, the Union Minister added that similar schools in other locations in the state—including Bajpur, Chakrata, and the Kalsi area of Dehradun—are also providing quality education.

Highlighting the schemes run under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for tribal welfare, Shri Jual Oram remarked that the Central Government works continuously through various initiatives for the social and economic empowerment of tribal communities. He assured that local tribal issues would be addressed on a priority basis.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju lauded Uttarakhand’s tribal diversity and rich cultural heritage. He mentioned that Uttarakhand is home to various tribal communities, including Tharu, Boksa, Jaunsari, and Raji, whose unique cultures and traditions enrich the identity of the state.

Referring to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership style, Shri Kiren Rijiju stated that he has successfully navigated various challenges during natural disasters, tunnel accidents, landslides, and other adverse situations. He remarked that such a public servant appears once in centuries.

Shri Rijiju noted that after 2014, tribal welfare and identity received renewed priority nationwide. In honor of the tribal community's contribution to the freedom struggle, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda began to be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. He added that efforts are being made to ensure development reaches remote tribal areas through schemes like PM-JANMAN.

Union Minister Shri Rijiju extended greetings to tribal representatives and artists visiting from various states, including Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Mizoram. Calling upon all communities to preserve their cultural heritage, identity, and traditions, he emphasized the active participation of the tribal society in realizing the vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that being present among the people at the inauguration of Uttarakhand Adi Rangotsav was a moment of pride for him. He described the festival not merely as a cultural event, but as a celebration of rich culture, traditions, and the pride of tribal society. Such events serve as a vital platform to showcase the unique cultural heritage of various tribal communities to the nation and the world, while connecting the younger generation to their roots and traditions.

The Chief Minister thanked Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram for supporting the development of residential Eklavya schools and for announcing ₹10 crore for the modernization and expansion of the Khatima school. He also requested Union Ministers Shri Kiren Rijiju and Shri Jual Oram to establish an Eklavya Model Residential School in the Pithoragarh region.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Shri Jual Oram has been working for the interests and welfare of the tribal community for a long time, leading significant progress in education, development, and social empowerment across tribal areas in India. He added that during the roadshow in Khatima, he witnessed many vibrant colors of diverse cultures and traditions. Khatima, he noted, is a "Mini India" in itself, where cultures and traditions of various communities coexist harmoniously.

The Chief Minister affirmed that the State Government is continuously working to empower tribal communities and make them self-reliant by connecting them with education, healthcare, employment, and infrastructure. The government aims to bring tribal communities into the mainstream of development while preserving their cultural identity and traditions.

He mentioned that the State Government has made the income criteria under the Atal Awas Yojana more practical and increased construction cost allocations so that more eligible families can benefit. In Udham Singh Nagar district alone, assistance exceeding ₹3 crore has been provided under this scheme.

He further noted that a large number of tribal families are benefiting under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. Out of the applications received for housing this year under this scheme, approximately 28% were from tribal families. Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, 824 houses were constructed in the first phase and 101 houses in the second phase.

In the field of education, the State Government continues to work for tribal development. Crores of rupees have been made available for the development of Ashram-style schools, hostels, and ITI institutes.

He shared that a 100-bed boys' hostel is under construction in Bajpur. School construction work costing over ₹16 crore is currently underway, and ₹4 crore has been sanctioned for a girls' hostel. Additionally, beautification and modernization work for the Tharu Government Inter College is being carried out.

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his congratulations and best wishes to BSF soldier Shri Mohan Singh Rana (resident of Anjaniya village, Khatima) and Ms. Teela Sen (daughter of Charubeta) on successfully scaling Mount Everest. He remarked that both have brought immense honor not only to the Tharu community but to the entire state of Uttarakhand. Their achievements serve as an inspiration for the youth.

The Chief Minister added that the State Government is working to provide employment and training to the tribal community through the National Rural Livelihood Mission. By connecting products made by tribal communities to markets, promoting marketing efforts, and providing revolving funds and investment support, the government is empowering them economically.

At the Uttarakhand Adi Rangotsav, tribal artists from states including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Mizoram, and Uttar Pradesh presented their folk culture, traditional dance, music, and art. The colorful traditional costumes and performances of the artists remained the center of attraction for the audience.

Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State Shri Ajay Tamta expressed vote of thanks and gratitude to all guests, artists, and participants present at the event.

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