New Delhi: The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated a conference titled “Transformation of Tribal Lives through Science and Technological Interventions – Preserving Language, Faith and Culture” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conference was organised by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) and ITITI Doon Sanskriti School, Dehradun.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President highlighted that the conference has beautifully demonstrated the power of scientific temper and technological advancement when combined with traditional knowledge. He noted that when modern science works in harmony with language, faith and culture, it becomes a powerful force for protection and empowerment.
Emphasising the importance of tribal communities, the Vice President said that India has around 1.4 lakh tribal villages, comprising nearly 9 per cent of the country’s population. He underlined that tribal communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge that supports biodiversity and sustainable use of forest resources. He added that for centuries, these communities have preserved India’s ancient culture, faith and civilisational heritage.
The Vice President observed that tribal areas offer immense potential for green economic development. He also remarked on the exceptional skills of tribal communities in design, textiles and colour combinations, which have been preserved over generations. Highlighting key government initiatives, he referred to the PM-JANMAN programme under which over 2,400 roads spanning nearly 7,300 km and more than 160 bridges have been sanctioned. He also mentioned the Dharti Abha – Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which covers over 63,000 tribal villages with a focus on clean water, housing, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods.
