Bhubaneswar/New Delhi
Seeking to “understand their problems” as she interacted with tribals and spent the night at the Similipal National Park in Odisha on Friday, President Droupadi Murmu urged them to communicate their concerns more openly.
“Unless you speak, who will know the problems? The tribals generally remain silent and speak less about their issues,” she said. She appealed to the tribal communities to speak up and raise their issues with the government. She also underscored the importance of education and advised them to avail benefits of various government schemes.
The President spent the night at the forest bungalow inside the national park. Murmu is the first President to spend the night at Similipal National Park. Elaborate security arrangements were made for her visit and entry of visitors to the forests was restricted since February 4.
India’s first tribal woman President has many firsts to her credit: From undertaking two sorties in two different fighter jets Sukhoi and Rafale to a dived sortie in a submarine to visiting the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.
She inaugurated three 4G mobile towers at Gudugudia, Astakunar and Barsia. These towers will provide connectivity to nearly 26 villages covering a population of around 6,000 inside the park, which is surrounded by hills, waterfalls, forests and wild animals. Another mobile tower installed at Nanna inside the forests could not be operated during the President’s visit.
According to news agency PTI, the President outlined that tribal mothers should be aware of their rights and ensure that their children pursue education.
Emphasising the transformative power of education, the President said, “I have not come here to just deliver speeches. I want to understand your problems.” She also highlighted the need for unemployed youth to become self-reliant by developing their skills and abilities.
In a post on X, the President of India later said, “President Droupadi Murmu interacted with women and youth of tribal communities at Simlipal, Odisha. The President underscored the importance of education and advised them to get benefits of government schemes. She urged them to work hard and become active participants in the nation’s development journey.”
Earlier in the day, Murmu had an informal interaction with local residents and distributed 100 blankets among tribals. Officials said she is the first President to spend the night at Similipal National Park. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the visit, and entry of visitors to the forests was restricted since February 4.
About Similipal
Similipal National Park, located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, is one of India’s largest tiger reserves and a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve. The forest is home to several Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and other indigenous communities who depend heavily on forest resources for their livelihood.
Connectivity and access to education, healthcare and welfare schemes have long remained challenges in the densely forested and hilly terrain of Similipal. The inauguration of 4G mobile towers is seen as a step towards bridging the digital divide and improving access to essential services, while the President’s outreach highlights the government’s focus on inclusive development and tribal empowerment.
Similipal is home to wide range of flora and fauna which represent a link between two biodiversity hot spots of the country i.e., the Sub-Himalayayan North-East India and the Western Ghats in the South. Many species of rare, endangered, threatened and vulnerable plants and animals like mahaseer, hornbill, chowsingha, mouse deer, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, ruddy mongoose, mugger crocodile and rufus tailed hare are examples of its unique biodiversity. At the same time, large carnivores like tigers, leopards, and mega-herbivores like elephants and Indian gaur can also be spotted.
