GUMLA, Jharkhand — President Droupadi Murmu emphasized education’s critical role in tribal community development on Tuesday, concluding her three-day visit to Jharkhand. Speaking at an interstate folk cultural gathering in Gumla district, the President urged educated individuals to help people access various government welfare schemes.
Education: A Catalyst for Development
President Murmu addressed the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh–Kartik Jatra. This gathering included participants, primarily from tribal communities, from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Murmu highlighted education as a fundamental driver of progress. “Education is the key to development,” President Murmu stated. She elaborated that education refines an individual’s personality. It creates opportunities for advancement. Education also serves as a vital medium for achieving inclusive growth and social justice within society.
Empowering Communities Through Awareness
The President noted a trend where many educated individuals settle in urban areas. She observed that they often do not return to their native villages after completing their studies. Murmu called on these educated citizens to reconnect with their roots. She urged them to visit their villages. Their task, she explained, would be to raise awareness about various government schemes and their associated benefits. “Government schemes will be successful only when people are aware of them,” Murmu emphasized. She stressed that while the government performs its duties, individual contributions are essential for widespread impact.
Government Initiatives for Inclusive Growth
President Murmu affirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive growth for tribal communities. She stated that efforts are underway to ensure development reaches every individual. The government has launched several schemes named after tribal icon Birsa Munda. These initiatives aim to benefit tribal populations and other deprived citizens. Murmu confirmed a mission-mode approach. This approach focuses on providing basic amenities. These include housing, drinking water, road connectivity, and schools for all.
Addressing the Tribal University Demand
During her address, President Murmu also responded to a local demand. Residents of Gumla have called for the establishment of a tribal university in the district. Murmu pledged to make efforts toward fulfilling this demand. She expressed hope that the Jharkhand state government would act on the people’s request.
President’s Jharkhand Itinerary
President Murmu’s three-day visit to Jharkhand began on Sunday night. On Monday, she participated in two significant events in Jamshedpur. She addressed the 22nd Santali ‘Parsi Maha’ (language day) celebrations. She also marked the centenary of the Ol Chiki script for the Santali language. Later on Monday, the President attended the 15th convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Jamshedpur.
On Tuesday morning, before her Gumla engagement, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren met President Murmu. The meeting took place at Lok Bhawan in Ranchi. President Murmu concluded her visit and departed for Delhi on Tuesday evening.
Dignitaries Present
Several state dignitaries attended the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh–Kartik Jatra in Gumla. These included Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.