PM Modi expected in Odisha on Nov 15 for Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary

Bhubaneswar, Nov 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Odisha on November 15 to inaugurate the year-long celebrations of ‘Janjati Gaurav Diwas’ in Rourkela, which will commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the legendary tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda.

The event will kick off a series of programs aimed at honoring his contributions. According to Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, the year-long initiative will include special gram sabhas and training camps in tribal areas across the country.

Naik, however, mentioned that the visit is still awaiting official confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Additionally, Naik revealed plans to implement the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, in Odisha. As part of this, arrangements are being made to organize 7,667 gram sabhas across 2,408 panchayats in 234 blocks of 27 districts to raise awareness about the legislation. This will be discussed in the upcoming winter session of the state Assembly, with the meetings being led by the sarpanchs and coordinated by PEO.

In a related development, reports suggest that Modi may also launch the Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha scheme on November 19 in Sundargarh. This scheme is aimed at providing an annual scholarship of Rs 5,000 to 200,000 to 250,000 tribal students across the state as part of the ongoing tributes to tribal heroes.