Nation Celebrates Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada 2025 Honouring Tribal Heritage and Empowerment

Across India, vibrant celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada (1–15 November 2025) are underway, marking a nationwide tribute to India's rich tribal legacy, cultural diversity, and the invaluable role of tribal communities in nation-building. The fortnight also commemorates the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal freedom fighter who symbolised indigenous pride, resistance, and unity.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the celebrations reflect India's renewed pride in its tribal identity and the government's steadfast commitment to tribal welfare, empowerment, and cultural preservation. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, guided by Hon'ble Minister Shri Jual Oram, is spearheading activities across all States and Union Territories, blending cultural festivities with developmental outreach.

Celebrations Reflecting India's Tribal Pride

The Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada is part of the "Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh" (Tribal Pride Year), which celebrates the heroism, resilience, and contributions of India's tribal leaders and communities. The initiative is deeply aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas", ensuring the holistic upliftment of tribal populations through education, livelihoods, health, and heritage preservation.

Empowering Tribal Youth in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a Career Guidance Programme was organised for college-going tribal students, offering insights into emerging educational and vocational opportunities. The initiative focused on career planning, entrepreneurship, and competitive exam preparation, encouraging tribal youth to participate in India's growing knowledge economy. Experts and mentors engaged with students on pathways in skill-based industries and sustainable livelihoods, empowering the next generation to become self-reliant contributors to the nation's progress.

Environmental and Cultural Initiatives in Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, the tribal community showcased its deep bond with nature through a Plantation Drive, reaffirming the tribal ethos of environmental stewardship and ecological balance. The event was accompanied by a Heritage Rally and awareness meeting at Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Paderu, underlining the state's efforts to integrate cultural revival with welfare schemes. These programs also raised awareness about forest-based livelihoods, eco-tourism, and green entrepreneurship.

Inclusive Development and Digital Empowerment in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir launched a series of wide-ranging activities, from health camps and surveys to Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, aimed at saturation of benefits among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Other key initiatives included:

• Workshops for traditional healers, preserving indigenous medicinal knowledge.

• Youth club formations to promote leadership, sports, and mentorship.

• Documentation of tribal success stories and digitisation of beneficiary data.

• Publication of monographs and photo handbooks on tribal life and heritage.

• A drive to digitise tribal languages and scripts, ensuring linguistic preservation.

A painting competition at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Durbuk, celebrated local artistic expression, showcasing creativity rooted in regional tribal narratives.

Cultural Showcases and Student Engagement in Karnataka

In Karnataka, the third day of celebrations at Ashrama School, Kolipalya, featured a vibrant lineup of dance, drama, and storytelling competitions, with students bringing tribal legends and folklore to life. The performances celebrated the unique art forms and oral traditions of tribal communities, reinforcing the importance of cultural continuity among young learners.

Nurturing Literary Expression in Nagaland

At Eklavya Model Residential School, Tuensang, a poem recitation competition gave students the platform to express their pride in tribal identity through creative expression. Poems written in indigenous languages and dialects paid homage to the heritage and courage of local tribal heroes, highlighting Nagaland's deep-rooted literary and linguistic diversity.

Showcasing Odisha's Tribal Vibrancy

Odisha, home to one of India's largest tribal populations, hosted an Exhibition of Photographs on Tribal Life and Culture, capturing the vibrancy, artistry, and resilience of tribal communities. The exhibition showcased traditional crafts, attire, and rituals, while also highlighting government initiatives supporting tribal artisans and self-help groups through marketing, digital access, and entrepreneurship support.

Rajasthan's Welfare Outreach through Digital Connectivity

In Rajasthan, the state government conducted Benefit Saturation Camps across districts, ensuring doorstep delivery of welfare schemes to tribal beneficiaries. These camps, organized through e-Mitra centres in collaboration with the District Administration and Department of Information Technology, facilitated on-the-spot service enrolments, grievance redressal, and digital literacy awareness—bringing governance closer to the people.

Promoting Tribal Education and Creativity in Uttar Pradesh

Across Uttar Pradesh, schools celebrated the spirit of the fortnight with competitions in essay writing, painting, speech, story-telling, poetry, and rangoli. Students explored themes of tribal culture, folklore, and the freedom struggle, showcasing their understanding of India's plural heritage. The initiatives inspired children to appreciate and preserve indigenous traditions as integral parts of India's cultural fabric.

A Unified Celebration of Tribal Identity

The nationwide observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada 2025 embodies India's commitment to inclusive growth, cultural respect, and tribal empowerment. Through educational programs, welfare drives, art exhibitions, and cultural events, every region is contributing to a collective narrative of unity in diversity.

These celebrations pay homage not only to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose life continues to inspire India's tribal renaissance, but also to countless tribal communities whose wisdom, resilience, and heritage enrich the nation's identity.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Minister Shri Jual Oram, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs continues to integrate culture with development—ensuring that the spirit of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh translates into lasting empowerment for tribal India.