Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Nov 15: Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana today called upon the tribal youth to wholeheartedly embrace modern education while remaining deeply connected to their rich cultural identity.
He emphasized on the importance of maintaining a harmonious balance between progress and tradition, urging young people to take pride in their heritage and empower themselves without losing sight of their ancestral wisdom and values.
The Minister said this while addressing a gathering during Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2025 celebrations at OP Hill Stadium, Mendhar organised by District Administration Poonch, in collaboration with Tribal Affairs Department.
The event, presided over by the Minister, witnessed enthusiastic participation from members of local tribal communities, cultural practitioners, students and officials from various government departments.
In his address, the Minister commended local tribal artists, artisans, performers and community activists for their invaluable contributions in preserving traditional art forms and promoting the welfare of tribal communities.
He highlighted the pivotal role played by cultural custodians in safeguarding tribal heritage and reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting such initiatives alongside contemporary developmental efforts.
Rana further called for systematic documentation and preservation of tribal history, culture, language, and art, stressing that such efforts are essential for strengthening tribal identity.
He noted that integrated cultural and developmental interventions are crucial for ensuring holistic progress and socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister stated, “Omar Abdullah led Government is fully committed to the well-being and comprehensive development of the tribal population spread across Jammu and Kashmir.”
He also highlighted the Union Government’s renewed focus on tribal welfare and underlined the need for coordinated, mission-mode implementation of welfare initiatives to maximize their impact at the grassroots level.
Applauding the District Administration’s Responsive Governance Programme, the Minister said that the initiative provides tribal workers and government officials with essential tools, training, and knowledge required to deliver effective, people-centric governance.
Highlighting recent Government interventions, Rana informed the gathering that special attention has been devoted to upgrading tribal hostels to provide safe, well-equipped, and conducive learning environments for tribal students.
He noted that the deployment of mobile medical units and operationalization of Van Dhan Kendras have been prioritized to ensure last-mile service delivery and livelihood enhancement for tribal families.
On the occasion, the Minister also inspected a special exhibition showcasing traditional tribal arts, crafts, household artefacts, and historical narratives celebrating the contributions of tribal heroes.
A vibrant cultural programme was presented by local artists, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the tribal communities of the region.
Secretary Tribal Affairs, Prasanna Ramaswamy G, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the wide range of initiatives undertaken by the Tribal Affairs Department to accelerate the development and empowerment of tribal communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
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