Tribal Empowerment

Tribal communities, pan India, have played a key role in conserving the rich culture and heritage of our country. Their contributions to freedom struggle have been highlighted through various initiatives under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

According to the 2011 consensus, the tribal population in India was 104 million, constituting 8.6% of the country’s population. The significant role of the tribal community in evolving narrative of India is well established, be it their contribution to the freedom struggle, field of sports or business.

Tribal Freedom Fighters:November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda has been declared as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate the special contribution of tribals towards India’s freedom and evolving future.
Tribal Identity:The unique markers of tribal identity increasingly under threat due to urbanization. Dialects and language impacted by lack of adequate exposure and non-practice at times.

Tribal Education:Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) are changing the face of education amongst tribals. In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an EMRS.
Tribal Entrepreneurship:Often the lack of exposure and/or education inhibits tribal people from extracting higher order value from potential opportunities. The
Tribal Sports: Dutee Chand (Track and Field), Mary Kom (Boxing), Bhaichung Bhutia (Football), Lalremsiami (hockey), Birendra Lakra (hockey), Dangmei Grace (football), Thonakal Gopi (marathon) are few names that have given us a to the explosive talent of tribal sports persons. Centre of Excellence for Sports (CoE for Sports) are being set up through Eklavya Schools to being out new sporting talent. Also, there are many indigenous games such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana, and Silambam etc. that are linked to rural and tribal population.

Potential Areas

Tribal Talent Hunt:Platforms and initiatives for talent discovery and mentorship
Dialects and Languages:Period between 2022-2032 proclaimed by UNESCO as International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Programs and initiatives around preservation, practice and popularization of tribal languages, focus on literary and other content asset creation.
Health and Nutrition:Innovative program ideas centered around specific issues and concerns related to health and nutrition amongst tribals.
Art and Culture:Showcasing efforts of preserving intangible cultural heritage of tribal communities across India.
Tribal Schools: Leading the change through intervention in formal and informal education.
Tribal Freedom Fighters:Series of seminars, events, programs that highlight unknown, lesser-known tribal freedom fighters.
Livelihood Programs: Skill building and livelihood program impacting large section of tribal community.
Entrepreneurship and Technology For Tribal Youth:Programs that handhold young members of tribal community towards greater self-reliance and technology integration.