President Murmu Calls for Faster Delivery of Tribal Welfare Programmes

President Murmu stressed that development initiatives should always keep people at the centre of planning and implementation.

President Droupadi Murmu has called for stronger efforts to ensure that welfare and development programmes reach tribal communities at the grassroots level, saying that meaningful change can only happen when benefits are delivered directly to people who need them most. The President made the remarks while inaugurating the National Conclave on Strengthening of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs) in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the event, she also virtually inaugurated a Training Fab at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, along with 75 Space Labs established in Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.

President Urges Officials to Focus on People

Addressing participants, President Murmu described the gathering as a conclave of "tribal change agents" and said those involved in implementing tribal welfare programmes carry a crucial responsibility. She noted that officials working through tribal development agencies and projects have the power to transform lives by ensuring government schemes reach villages and remote communities effectively.

The President said discussions during the conclave should focus on finding practical solutions that improve the delivery of services and development initiatives for tribal populations. She expressed confidence that the deliberations would help create strategies that ensure every eligible beneficiary receives support under various government programmes.

Education, Nutrition and Livelihoods Identified as Priorities

President Murmu stressed that development initiatives should always keep people at the centre of planning and implementation. She urged stakeholders to remember that every project document ultimately exists to improve the life of an individual citizen.

According to the President, special attention should be given to ensuring proper nutrition for pregnant women, quality education for tribal children, dignified livelihood opportunities for young people and access to welfare benefits for every tribal family. She said officials and agencies involved in development projects should approach their responsibilities with sensitivity and a strong commitment to public service. The President also welcomed efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems of tribal communities alongside modern development programmes.

Education Key to Tribal Development

Highlighting the importance of education in social and economic progress, President Murmu encouraged all stakeholders to actively support the education and skill development of tribal children and youth. She noted that nearly 500 Eklavya Model Residential Schools have already been established across India to improve educational opportunities for tribal students. The virtual inauguration of 75 new Space Labs at these schools reflects the government's focus on providing students with access to advanced learning facilities and emerging technologies.

The President said the holistic development of tribal communities is an essential component of India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. She added that inclusive growth must remain at the heart of national development efforts and expressed hope that the recommendations and roadmap emerging from the conclave would translate into meaningful action at the grassroots level.