President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday inaugurated the National Conclave on Strengthening of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs) in New Delhi, underscoring the need for holistic tribal development as a key pillar of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
On the occasion, the President also virtually inaugurated a Training Fab at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at Indian Institute of Science and 75 Space Labs in Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.
Addressing participants, President Murmu described the conclave as a gathering of “tribal change agents” and urged officials and stakeholders to ensure that welfare and development programmes reach tribal communities at the grassroots level. She said discussions at the conclave would help identify practical solutions to challenges facing tribal communities and improve the delivery of government schemes.
The President emphasised that the ultimate purpose of every development project is to improve people’s lives. She called for focused efforts to ensure adequate nutrition for pregnant women, quality education for tribal children, dignified livelihoods for tribal youth and effective implementation of welfare initiatives for every tribal family.
Highlighting the importance of preserving tribal heritage, President Murmu said the government is giving special attention to the culture and traditional knowledge systems of tribal communities alongside modern development efforts.
She also stressed the role of education and skill development in empowering tribal communities and noted that nearly 500 Eklavya Model Residential Schools have been established across the country to improve educational opportunities for tribal students.
Further, the President said the holistic development of tribal communities is essential to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and would ensure that the country’s progress remains inclusive. She expressed confidence that the recommendations and roadmap emerging from the conclave would help translate development plans into concrete action at the grassroots level.
