New Delhi – The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) organized the Delhi Chapter of ‘Adi ShaPaTH,’ a half-day interactive session aimed at fostering partnerships for the happiness and development of tribal communities across India. Held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, the event brought together over 20 stakeholders, including Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), private companies, donor organizations, and foundations from the Delhi-NCR region.
The initiative, part of MoTA’s broader outreach for greater public participation (Janbhagidari), sought to maximize attention and investment in tribal areas. The session facilitated collaboration among CSR donors, volunteer organizations, and bilateral and multilateral agencies, aligning their commitments with the aspirations of tribal communities. Key sectors identified for collaboration included health, education, livelihood, and cultural preservation.
The event showcased ongoing projects by various partners in tribal regions, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to tribal welfare. Notable projects highlighted included skill development and livelihood programs supported by organizations like Tata Trust, health initiatives backed by the Gates Foundation, and educational efforts by the American Indian Foundation. Discussions underscored the need for a national-level platform to both showcase these initiatives and present new opportunities in an organized manner. Industry representatives expressed enthusiasm for expanding their projects to a national scale in partnership with MoTA.
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Specific projects discussed included the Ministry’s ongoing efforts under schemes like PM JANMAN, which focuses on uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing access to housing, clean drinking water, and reliable healthcare. Additionally, programs like Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) were highlighted for their role in providing quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas. These initiatives align with MoTA’s broader objectives of bridging gaps in service-deficient tribal areas through education, health, and livelihood interventions.
The session also emphasized cultural preservation, with partners like TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) showcasing efforts to promote tribal handicrafts and minor forest produce, such as lac and bamboo, to enhance economic opportunities while preserving cultural heritage. The Swadesh Darshan scheme, which promotes tribal homestays, was noted as a successful model for boosting local economies through tourism.
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The meeting was attended by Shri T. Roumuan Paite, Joint Secretary, MoTA, and Chairman and Managing Director, NSTFDC, along with Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and other ministry officials. Prominent organizations such as Oil India, HUDCO, GAIL, Tata Trust, Gates Foundation, American Indian Foundation, HCL Technology, and Bharti Airtel participated, demonstrating a strong commitment to tribal development.
‘Adi ShaPaTH’ marks a significant step toward building sustainable partnerships to uplift tribal communities, ensuring their holistic development while preserving their rich cultural heritage. The Ministry plans to continue such engagements to strengthen collaboration and scale up impactful projects across the country.
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Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India; Press Information Bureau; tribal.nic.in