Khunti/Ranchi
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday showcased her tribal pride saying that the birth of a girl child in her society was never a hindrance in the way of positive growth. She stressed that tribal women have been excelling in different walks of life since ages.
“I am proud being a tribal woman. Our sisters and daughters are doing commendable jobs in every field despite severe odds. After becoming the President, I also gave awards and degrees at several convocation ceremonies across the country. A lion’s share of these awards and degrees was bagged by women. In the recent years, there has been a multi-fold increase in the number of tribal women getting Padma Awards,” she pointed out.
She reminisced how her grandmother, who hailed from Jharkhand’s Women and Child Development Minister Joba Majhi’s village, took her to collect ‘mahua’ that were cooked when there was no food-grain in home. Today, mahua products are in great demand everywhere, she said.
Stressing that being a woman or being born in a tribal society is not a disadvantage, the President shared that there are countless inspiring examples of the contribution of women in our country and that women have made invaluable contributions in social reform, politics, economy, education, science and research, business, sports and military forces and many other fields.
The President, Flanked By Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda And Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Visiting The Different Stalls
She said that for becoming successful in any field, it is very important that they recognize their talent and do not judge themselves on the scale of others. She urged women to awaken the infinite power that is within them and said that both the social and economic aspects of women empowerment are equally important.
Addressing the women congregation, the President said, “It is heartening that lakhs of families have been linked to self-help groups (SHG). Thousands of women are busy giving boost to Jharkhand’s rural economy. It is high time to link maximum number of women with the SHGs, sharpen their skills through proper training and make them financially self-sufficient,” she maintained.
The President, in her address, also made a special mention of tribals from Jharkhand who set new milestones in various areas, including freedom fighters Phulo–Jhano, Padma awardees Jamuna Tudu, Akli Tudu, Chhutni Mahto, hockey players Beauty Dungdung, Pramodini Lakra, Mahima Tete, Dipika Soreng, Nikki Pradhan, Salima Tete and archer Dipika Kumari.
Many more names would be added up in the coming days, she expressed confidence. The President also interacted with the women.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda presented the President with a hamper containing products made by tribals and marketed by Tribes India and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. The conference was organised by his Ministry. He also accompanied the President who visited the different stalls of tribal products put up on the occasion.
Glimpses From The Conference
President Meeting The Conference’ Participants
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in his address, utilised the occasion to urge the President to approve the Sarna Code Bill at the earliest, the demand for which has intensified in recent times. And keeping aside political differences, he praised Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda for his tribal initiatives for Jharkhand.
He said that 22 lakh women were now linked to 225 SHGs across the state and that his government was trying its best to sideline middlemen and brokers engaged in the marketing of forest products by setting up Palash Mart and Sidho Kanho Federation.
