Modi inaugurates Aadi Mahotsav, calls tribal development, education priority

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called the development and education of tribals a priority for his government as he inaugurated Aadi Mahotsav to celebrate tribal cultures and products in New Delhi.

Modi credited the government’s efforts for the growing demand for India’s traditional products. 

Modi referred to the announcement of PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman in this year’s Union budget for financial incentives for traditional artisans and craftspeople and help them integrate into the value chain for small enterprises.

He said skill training and marketing support will also be provided under the scheme.

Modi hit out at the previous governments for failing to set up schools in tribal areas. 

He said the number of Eklavya residential schools for scheduled tribes went up to over 500 schools in 2022 compared to 90 that were set up from 2004 to 2014.