Vice President inaugurates conference on tribal transformation via science and technology in New Delhi
The Vice President of India, Shri C. Radhakrishnan, formally inaugurated a conference titled “Transformation of Tribal Lives through Science and Technological Interventions – Preserving Language, Faith and Culture” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event was organized by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, alongside the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) and ITITI Doon Sanskriti School, Dehradun. Addressing attendees, Shri Radhakrishnan underscored the value of merging modern scientific temper and technological progress with tribal traditional knowledge. He stated that India has approximately 1.4 lakh tribal villages accounting for nearly 9 percent of the population. These communities maintain invaluable traditional knowledge vital for biodiversity and sustainable forest resource use, and have preserved much of India’s ancient culture and heritage. The Vice President pointed to the large potential for green economic development in tribal areas and noted the unique skills of tribal communities in traditional design, textile production, and color combination techniques. He emphasized the national vision for 2047 which seeks to achieve development alongside the preservation of heritage under the guiding principle “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.”
Recalling his parliamentary experience, Shri Radhakrishnan referenced his support for the formation of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand states, which facilitated tribal upliftment. He also honored former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for establishing the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, calling it a moral commitment to justice and dignity for tribals. The Vice President highlighted government infrastructure projects under PM-JANMAN, sanctioning over 2,400 roads totaling nearly 7,300 kilometers and more than 160 bridges in tribal areas. He also mentioned the Dharti Abha – Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan expanding to cover over 63,000 tribal villages focusing on clean water, housing, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. He commended the ITITI Doon Sanskriti School on its 25th anniversary. The school has educated over 2,000 tribal students from Uttarakhand, the North-East, and Ladakh with free quality education since its inception, originally inaugurated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The event was also attended by several dignitaries including the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
