President Inaugurates National Seminar On ‘Tribes of Keonjhar: People, Culture and Heritage’

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a national seminar on ‘Tribes of Keonjhar: People, Culture and Heritage’, organised by Dharanidhar University at Gambharia, Keonjhar on 29th February, Thursday. She also inaugurated an exhibition with jewellery, culinary items, and tribal costumes.

The President, speaking at the event, described Keonjhar as a naturally beautiful area with a strong tribal population. Gond, Santhal, Orang, Kondh, Juang, Saanti, Bhuiyan, Munda, and Saanti all call it home. She conveyed her optimism that the experts taking part in the conversation will address many facets of tribal culture preservation and come to specific findings.

The President said that we cannot refer to the growth of the nation as inclusive if any community or group is excluded from its mainstream. As a result, tribal groups will need to pay more attention to the development of their less advanced citizens. PM-JANMAN, an initiative by the Indian government, aims to strengthen PVTGs. This project will offer a means of subsistence as well as nutrition, sanitation, tap water, health care, education, and skill development. She noted that in order to empower the indigenous people, a number of programmes are also being put into place. She was pleased to see that initiatives are being taken to safeguard tribal self-respect as well as to conserve and advance indigenous arts, customs, and crafts.

According to the President, indigenous people place a high priority on democracy and equality. The fundamental motto of the tribal civilization is “We,” not “I.” In primitive communities, there is no distinction made between men and women. The foundation of women’s empowerment is this strategy. Women’s empowerment may go more quickly if we all embrace these ideals.

The President told the teachers that in addition to teaching, they should focus on research. She pleaded with them to visit the tribal areas and see firsthand the living conditions there. She said that tribal communities possess a vast amount of traditional wisdom. Skilled tribe members are adept at identifying various plants, trees, and herbs, as well as how to use them and recognise their unique therapeutic qualities. She advised them to conduct study on those subjects and encourage those who are interested in doing the same. She asked them to consider how traditional knowledge may be applied to better human civilization and to try to prevent them from going extinct.

The President said that students have immense possibilities and potential. They can earn a livelihood and become self-reliant through their education and skill. She urged them to connect with new technologies through education but do not forget their roots.