BATTING FOR speedy resolution of pending claims related to the Forest Rights Act, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said real empowerment does not come from schemes alone but by recognising people’s rights.
She was meeting a group of tribal leaders from different states visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan under the ‘Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan’ of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Starting July this year, a series of five such meetings of eminent personalities from the tribal community were planned under this initiative. This was the final meeting of this series, officials said.
Addressing the gathering, the President said the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan is aimed at dialogue and cooperation in shaping the future of the tribal society and the country.
“This initiative reflects our collective resolve to build an inclusive and equitable India,” she said. “Our effort should be to ensure that tribal communities are not only the beneficiaries of development, but also co-creators of the nation’s future,” the President said.
Since the launch of the initiative in one lakh villages, 20 lakh such ‘adi-karmayogis’, including government officials, volunteers, women from self-help groups and tribal youth, are being mobilised, aiming to reach out to 11 crore tribal population across the country.
“The Forest Rights Act is not just a legal instrument for our tribal brothers and sisters. It is an important means of social justice, equality, and environmental protection,” President Murmu said, adding that this is an attempt to establish harmony between people and forests.
“I urge all stakeholders to expedite the resolution of pending claims related to the Forest Rights Act. I also urge them to ensure digitisation of ownership,” she said.
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The President said real empowerment does not come from schemes alone; the recognition of people’s rights shapes true empowerment. It is strengthened by respect for those rights and sustained by the representation of tribal communities.
President Murmu urged members of tribal communities to play an active role in their own development journey. She advised them to express their views on various platforms and make the systems accountable.
The President also noted the recent launch of Adi Vaani, an AI-based translation tool for tribal languages, calling it an essential step towards language and education transformation in tribal areas. The beta version of Adi Vaani, launched in September 2025, is the world’s first AI-powered indigenous language bridge tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for cultural preservation and social inclusion of tribal groups in India.
