Many women among 86 tribal entrepreneurs awarded

Indian Tribal News Service

New Delhi

A substantial number of women who have excelled in setting up successful business ventures in different sectors were among the 86 tribal entrepreneurs from southern Indian states to have been honoured by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) in association with TRICOR-Andhra Pradesh.

The award is a bid to promote entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Tribes community and encourage them. The ST entrepreneurs hail from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Odisha.

The event, held on Monday (November 22) in Visakhapatnam as a part of celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the 75^thAnniversary of Indian Independence, marked the final day of the iconic week to commemorate “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas” on November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary, MTA, urged the government, public and private to come forward to support the enterprises set up by tribals. He also emphasized the potential of the traditional skills set of the tribals like healing practices, herbal medicines and natural remedies.

A small exhibition was also arranged wherein various products made by tribals were displayed.

The representatives of various industrial forums like ASSOCHAM, DICCI, CII also spoke about their role in fostering tribal entrepreneurs. Mentors from MTA’s Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) Program shed light on the scope of digital initiatives for development of STs.

P.A. Sobha, Managing Director, Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) Ltd. talked about the various marketing initiatives taken for the business development of the STs. NSTFDC Board Members,. Yatinder Prasad, JS&FA, MTA, Deepika Kispotta, DGM, IDBI Bank and RavindraBabu, Managing Director, TRICOR-Andhra Pradesh were in attendance.

Update

Gond artists call on President

A group of artists of Gond art of Madhya Pradesh and Madhubani art of Bihar called on the President Droupadi Murmu on May 26, 2025 as part of the ‘Artists in Residence’ programme in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The traditional art forms of India are being showcased in the programme—Kala Utsav—in their original forms. Kala Utsav provides a platform to the folk, tribal and traditional artists who have continued the varied forms of art since generations. The artists are staying at Rashtrapati Bhavan from May 20 to 27, 2025 under the Artists-in-Residence programme. The President witnessed their paintings created during their stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She appreciated their contribution to India's important traditional art forms and wished them success in their future artistic endeavour.