Vice President calls for blending science with tradition to transform tribal lives
New Delhi: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday inaugurated a conference on “Transformation of Tribal Lives through Science and Technological Interventions – Preserving Language, Faith and Culture” at Bharat Mandapam, stressing that modern development and cultural preservation must go hand in hand.
Organised by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach and ITITI Doon Sanskriti School, the conference highlighted how scientific innovation can complement traditional knowledge systems. Addressing the gathering, the Vice President said that when modern science aligns with language, faith and culture, it becomes a powerful tool for both protection and empowerment.
Highlighting the significance of tribal communities, he noted that India has nearly 1.4 lakh tribal villages, accounting for around nine per cent of the population. He said these communities are custodians of the country’s biodiversity and have preserved its cultural and civilisational heritage for centuries. He also pointed to their exceptional skills in design, textiles and colour combinations, describing them as assets for sustainable and creative economies.
V-P Radhakrishnan underlined the vast potential of tribal regions in driving green economic growth and reiterated the vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047”, guided by the principle of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”. He said development and tradition are complementary, not contradictory.
Recalling his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he said he had supported the creation of states such as Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, which helped in advancing tribal welfare. The V-P also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for establishing the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, calling it a step rooted in justice and dignity. He further acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bringing tribal freedom fighters into the national spotlight.
The Vice President highlighted key government initiatives, including the PM-JANMAN programme, under which over 2,400 roads covering nearly 7,300 km and more than 160 bridges have been sanctioned. He referred to the Dharti Abha – Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which aims to improve living standards across over 63,000 tribal villages through better access to water, housing, education, healthcare and livelihoods.
He noted the rapid development in infrastructure and connectivity in the North East and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive growth. Congratulating ITITI Doon Sanskriti School on its silver jubilee, he said the institution has emerged as a key centre for providing free quality education to tribal children, benefiting over 2,000 students from Uttarakhand, the North East and Ladakh.
Several dignitaries, including Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, were present at the event.
(DD News)
