Published By : Admin | November 15, 2022 | 10:06 IST
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“Expressing pride in the tribal heritage of the country through Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and resolution for the development of the Adivasi community is part of the energy of ‘Panch Praan’”
“Bhagwan Birsa Munda was not just the hero of our freedom struggle but was a carrier of our spiritual and cultural energy”
“India has to give shape to its future by learning from the grand Adivasi legacy. I am sure that Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas will become an opportunity and medium for this”
ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ದೇಶವಾಸಿಗಳೇ,
ನಿಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ದಿನದ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು.
ಇಂದು, ಇಡೀ ದೇಶವು ಲಾರ್ಡ್ ಬಿರ್ಸಾ ಮುಂಡಾ ಅವರ ಜನ್ಮದಿನವನ್ನು ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಮತ್ತು ಗೌರವದಿಂದ ಆಚರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ನವೆಂಬರ್ 15 ರಂದು ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಜನಾಂಗದ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ದಿನವೆಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸಲು ನನಗೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿರುವುದು ನನ್ನ "ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ" ಎಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ಒಡನಾಡಿಗಳೇ...
ಭಗವಾನ್ ಬಿರ್ಸಾ ಮುಂಡಾ ಅವರು ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ನಾಯಕ ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ, ನಮ್ಮ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ, ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಶಕ್ತಿಯ ವಾಹಕವೂ ಆಗಿದ್ದರು. ಇಂದು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ 'ಪಂಚ ಪ್ರಾಣ'ದ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಬಿರ್ಸಾ ಮುಂಡಾ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ವೀರರ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನು ನನಸಾಗಿಸುವತ್ತ ದೇಶ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ದಿನಾಚರಣೆಯ ಮೂಲಕ ದೇಶದ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಪರಂಪರೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನ, ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಮಾಜದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ ಈ ಪಂಚ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಶಕ್ತಿಯ ಒಂದು ಭಾಗವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಒಡನಾಡಿಗಳೇ...
ಭಾರತದ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಮಾಜವು ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಮತ್ತು ವಿದೇಶಿ ಆಡಳಿತಗಾರರಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಮಾಜದ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ಏನೆಂಬುದನ್ನು ಈ ಹಿಂದೆಯೇ ತೋರಿಸಿದೆ. ಸಂತಾಲ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ತಿಲ್ಕಾ ಮಾಂಝಿ ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ 'ದಾಮಿನ್ ಸಂಗ್ರಾಮ್' ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ ಇದೆ. ಬುಧು ಭಗತ್ ನೇತೃತ್ವದ 'ಲರ್ಕಾ ಚಳವಳಿ'ಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ ಇದೆ. ‘ಸಿದ್ದು ಕಣು ಕ್ರಾಂತಿ’ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ ಇದೆ. ‘ತಾನಾ ಭಗತ್ ಚಳವಳಿ’ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ ಇದೆ ಅಲ್ಲದೇ ಬೇಗ ಭಿಲ್ ಚಳವಳಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯೂ ಇದೆ.ಇದರೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಾಯ್ಕ್ಡಾ ಚಳವಳಿಯು ಸಹ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯೇ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಸಂತ ಜೋರಿಯಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮತ್ತು ರೂಪ್ ಸಿಂಗ್ ನಾಯಕ್ ಇವರುಗಳ ಮೇಲೆಯೂ ಸಹ ನಮಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ಗೌರವಪೂರ್ಣವಾದ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯೂ ಇದೆ.
ಲಿಮ್ಡಿ, ದಹೋಡ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರನ್ನು ಸೋಲಿಸಿದ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ವೀರರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿದೆ, ಮಂಗರ್‌ನ ಗೌರವವನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿದ ಗೋವಿಂದ ಗುರೂಜೀ ಬಗ್ಗೆಯೂ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲೂರಿ ಸೀತಾ ರಾಮರಾಜು ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದ ರಾಂಪ ಚಳವಳಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ ಇದೆ.ಇಂತಹ ಅನೇಕ ಚಳುವಳಿಗಳು ಈ ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪವಿತ್ರಗೊಳಿಸಿವೆ. ಅಂತಹ ಹಲವಾರು ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ವೀರರ ತ್ಯಾಗ ಭಾರತಮಾತೆಯನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಿದೆ. ಕಳೆದ ವರ್ಷ ಇದೇ ದಿನ ರಾಂಚಿಯ ಬಿರ್ಸಾ ಮುಂಡಾ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಂ ಅನ್ನು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಅರ್ಪಿಸುವ ಅವಕಾಶ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ್ದು ನನ್ನ ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ. ಇಂದು ಭಾರತವು ದೇಶದ ವಿವಿಧ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಹೋರಾಟಗಾರರಿಗೆ ಮೀಸಲಾಗಿರುವ ಅನೇಕ ವಸ್ತುಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.
ಒಡನಾಡಿಗಳೇ.....
ಕಳೆದ ಎಂಟು ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ನಮ್ಮ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಹೋದರರು ಮತ್ತು ಸಹೋದರಿಯರು ದೇಶದ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಯೋಜನೆ, ಪ್ರತಿ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಜನ್ ಧನ್ ನಿಂದ ಗೋಬರ್ ಧನ್ ವರೆಗೆ, ವನ್ ಧನ್ ವಿಕಾಸ ಕೇಂದ್ರದಿಂದ ವನ್ ಧನ್ ಸ್ವಸಹಾಯ ಸಂಘಕ್ಕೆ, ಸ್ವಚ್ಛ ಭಾರತ್ ಮಿಷನ್ ನಿಂದ ಜಲ ಜೀವನ್ ಮಿಷನ್ ವರೆಗೆ, ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಆವಾಸ್ ಯೋಜನೆಯಿಂದ ಉಜ್ವಲ ಅನಿಲ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದವರೆಗೆ, ಮಾತೃತ್ವ ವಂದನಾ ಯೋಜನೆಯಿಂದ ಪೌಷ್ಟಿಕಾಂಶಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಅಭಿಯಾನದವರೆಗೆ, ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ರಸ್ತೆಯಿಂದ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕಕ್ಕೆ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳು, ಏಕಲವ್ಯ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಲಯಗಳವರೆಗೆ, ಬಿದಿರಿನ ದಶಕಗಳ ಹಳೆಯ ಕಾನೂನನ್ನು ಸುಮಾರು 90 ಅರಣ್ಯ ಉತ್ಪನ್ನಗಳ ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ಬೆಂಬಲ ಬೆಲೆ ಗೆ ಬದಲಾಯಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದು, ಸಿಕಲ್‌ ಸೆಲ್‌ ಅನಿಮಿಯಾ ತಡೆಗಟ್ಟುವಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಂಶೋಧನಾ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳವರೆಗೆ, ಉಚಿತ ಕರೋನಾ ಲಸಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಮಿಷನ್ ಇಂದ್ರಧನುಷ್ ವರೆಗೆ ಅನೇಕ ಮಾರಣಾಂತಿಕ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ನೀಡಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳು ದೇಶದ ಕೋಟಿಗಟ್ಟಲೆ ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಸುಲಭಗೊಳಿಸಿವೆ, ಅವರು ದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಒಡನಾಡಿಗಳೇ....
ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿ ಶೌರ್ಯವೂ ಇದೆ, ಸಹಜೀವನ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಒಳಗೊಳ್ಳುವಿಕೆ ಕೂಡ ಇದೆ. ಈ ಭವ್ಯ ಪರಂಪರೆಯಿಂದ ಕಲಿಯುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಭಾರತ ತನ್ನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯವನ್ನು ರೂಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಈ ದಿನವನ್ನು 'ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ದಿನ' ಎನ್ನುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ನಂಬುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಈ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಮಗೆ, ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಕಾಶವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಬಿರ್ಸಾ ಮುಂಡಾ ಮತ್ತು ಕೋಟಿ ಕೋಟಿ ಆದಿವಾಸಿ ವೀರ ನಾಯಕರು, ವೀರ ನಾಯಕಿಯರಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ನನ್ನ ಗೌರವ ನಮನ.
Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
