Our government will highlight tribal heritage, uplift them: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday celebrated International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples at Nizar town of Tapi district. He said at the event that his government has resolved to highlight tribal heritage in the state and would involve in welfare activities for the community.

The CM reached Nizar in the morning and visited the revered Goddess of the tribal communities in the region — Yaha Mogi Mata. He performed a puja too and paid tribute to tribal leader Birsa Munda's statue.

Rupani said, "In the history of Gujarat, many tribal heroes have surfaced from time to time, such as Vegda Bhil, who saved the Somnath ravaged by Muslim rulers, and the 1,600 tribals from Mangadh, Vijaynagar, and Dangs, who laid down their lives for independence. Former governments in Gujarat before BJP rule tried to sideline the stories of these heroes."

Tribal Development Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava said, "There are 90 lakh tribal people in Gujarat. The level of literacy among tribals in Gujarat was 47 per cent in 2001,which increased to 62 per cent in 2011. We are going to protect the rights of the 90,000 tribals, who reside on 13 lakh acre land and give Rs 40 crore under PESA Act to them."

Many other leaders were also present at the function.