PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE JANJATIYA SAMMELAN AT SINGRAMPUR VILLAGE, DAMOH, MADHYA PRADESH

Rashtrapati Bhavan : 07.03.2021

We should work together so that our tribal brothers-sisters get the benefits of modern development without losing their tribal identity, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. He was addressing the Janjatiya Sammelan, organized by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh today (March 7, 2021) at Singrampur village in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, where he has been invited as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.

The President said that the welfare and development of the tribal community is inter-linked to the welfare and development of the entire country. He further observed that it was with this thinking that the central and state governments are implementing various schemes for the economic and social development of the tribal population. He said that we should work together so that our tribal brothers-sisters get the benefit of modern development without losing their tribal identity.

The President said that we should learn from the tribal community as they give emphasis on maintaining fraternity and unitary society. They do not discriminate between women and men. Hence the sex ratio in the tribal population is better than the general population. They give preference to community over individuals and encourage cooperation over competition. Nature is given the highest honour in their lifestyle. There is spontaneity in the tribal life-style and hard work is respected. If we want to connect with the roots of humanity, then we should try to bring the values​​of tribal communities into our lifestyle.

The President said that the tribal communities have an everlasting storehouse of traditional knowledge. He noted that people of Baiga community have a lot of knowledge about traditional medicines and treatments. The participation of the tribal community in the plans for the processing and manufacture of traditional Ayurvedic medicines can prove to be very useful.

The President said that today, in addition to ‘Made in India’ emphasis is also on encouraging ‘Hand Made in India’. Our tribal brothers and sisters are rich in skill in the field of handicrafts. Efforts should be made so that their handicrafts products are well priced and widely marketed.

The President said that education is the most effective medium for the development of any person or community. Therefore, it is very important to strive for the educational development of the tribal community. He was happy to note that special emphasis is being laid on construction and operation of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Madhya Pradesh. For the promotion of literacy and education among tribal girl students, priority is being given to the construction of girls' education campuses in Madhya Pradesh.

On the occasion, the President also unveiled the foundation stone for conservation work of Singorgarh Fort and inaugurated the newly carved Jabalpur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India.