Tribal pride crucial part of India's consciousness: PM

Tribal pride has been an integral part of India's consciousness for thousands of years and the country cannot forget the tribal society's contribution in the freedom movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, which coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

- HTC and agencies

Addressing an event in Gujarat's Narmada district, where he laid foundation stone of development projects worth over ₹9,700 crore, PM Modi said: "Tribal pride has been an integral part of India's consciousness for thousands of years. Whenever the question of the country's honour, self-respect, and self-rule has arisen ... our tribal society has stood at the forefront. We cannot forget the contribution of tribal society in the freedom movement."

He added that the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas "reminds us of the injustice meted out to our crores of our tribal brothers and sisters".