Tribals in border villages are true patriots of country: Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda

New Delhi: Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda on Monday said that tribals in border villages have protected the country for ages and they are the true patriots of the country.
“Tribals in border villages have protected the country for ages along with preservation of their local traditions and culture. They are the true patriots of the country," the Tribal Affairs Minister said hosting more than two hundred Sarpanches from Border Villages with their spouses at his official residence in New Delhi on Monday.
Those present on the occasion included Atal Dullo, Secretary, Border Management, MHA; Anil Jha, Secretary, Tribal Affairs and Ashish Dayal Singh, Director General, Indo- Tibetan Border Police along with officers of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The guests have also been invited to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the iconic Red Fort, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) under which this event was organised, was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It envisages comprehensive development of identified villages in 46 blocks abutting the northern border in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Union Territory of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
"We are privileged to have you in our midst in the capital city. These border villages, once termed the ‘Last Villages of India’ have been termed the ‘First Villages’ by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," Arjun Munda said,
"India feels secure because the inhabitants of these border villages are keeping watch. Over 17 Ministers have visited and stayed overnight in these villages. Under the visionary guidance of the PM, the Government is trying to ensure the delivery of Government Programmes focusing on the Empowerment of women and youth, Connectivity with all-weather roads, provision of clean drinking water, 24x7 power to be focused on solar and wind energy, Mobile and Internet connectivity, Tourist centres, Multipurpose Center and Health and Wellness Center," the Tribal Affairs Minister said.
"Further, cooperatives will be developed at the local level to manage livelihood opportunities including entrepreneurship agriculture horticulture, cultivation of medicinal herbs and other initiatives,” he added.
The Minister highlighted that the Government is committed to the all-round development of Border Villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Atal Dullo, Secretary of Border Management observed, “In light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks, Border Villages are not the last villages, but the First Villages. We have strived to extend our full support to the development of these villages holistically by laying emphasis on their economy, livelihood, social structure, infrastructure, education, electricity and telecommunications.”
On the occasion, Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, gave the keynote address. Mentioning the Vibrant Villages Program, he highlighted, “The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing several schemes and initiatives in the border areas, whether it is Grants under Article 275 (1), Eklavya Model Residential Schools for ST Students, Grants to NGOs, or the PM-Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna.”
Ashish Dayal Singh, DG, ITBP, remarked, “We support the livelihood of the local vendors of the border villages by purchasing their produce. ITBP wholeheartedly supports this program launched with the aim of connecting and developing border villages in India in collaboration with the residents of these areas.”
Over 200 Sarpanches or Gram Pradhans from Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, UT Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh attended the program.
One Sarpanch from each state shared their views on the Vibrant Village Programme. Sarpanch of Gnathang, (Gangtok) Sikkim- Pema Sherpa, Sarpanch of Shyo Toth (Tawang), Arunachal Pradesh- Phurpa Zomba, Sarpanch of Durbuk Block (Changthang), UT Ladakh- Konchokley Namgyal, Sarpanch of Mana village, Uttarakhand- Pitambar Molfa, Sarpanch of Batsari, Tehsil Sangla, Himachal Pradesh- Pradeep Kumar appreciated the government's initiative of Vibrant Villages Programme and expressed hope that it will bring a new dawn for these villages.
The Vibrant Villages Programme was approved on February 15 with the central contribution of Rs.4800 crore for the period FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 including Rs.2500 crore specifically for road connectivity.