Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday addressed the members of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) in the Central Hall of Parliament here, in presence of Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda.
Welcoming the participants, Birla lauded the unique initiative of the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracy (PRIDE) of inviting one of the most marginalised groups of the country to the Parliament House.
He invoked the contributions made by Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other tribal leaders in the struggle for India’s Independence
In the context of the tribal heritage of knowledge of nature, tradition and culture, the Speaker was happy to note that since the earliest times the forest dwellers have exhibited exemplary symbiotic relation with nature.
He observed that the way of life of the tribal and especially of the PVTGs have always been in harmony with nature and the modern world has much to learn from them .
Birla also lauded the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Mission-a fund of Rs 15,000 crore allocated for the socio-economic development of the group over the next three years.
The Speaker was of the opinion that while there were many struggles ahead, yet with the wisdom
of several centuries behind them, the PVTGs would be ready to face any challenges and march shoulder to shoulder with the best of India .
He expressed his full confidence that India would soon see more representation from this group not only in all walks of life but in Parliament as well .
Reiterating that diversity was at the very core of Indian values, Birla stated that there was a need to preserve our heritage but at the same time there was a requirement to create new dimensions of development.
In this context, he stated that participation of tribal communities should be streamlined in various institutions, governance and bodies of the country.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta was also present.
PVTG groups came from Andaman and Nicobar, Chattisgarh, Tripura, Assam, Telangana,
Manipur and Jharkhand etc.
