Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 23 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Ministry of Science and Technology is setting up 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs in different parts of the country, exclusively for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to promote scientific talent and uplift the socio-economic status of these communities.
Addressing, as chief guest, the inaugural session of 2-day International Conference on “Significance of Technology in Empowering Tribal Community of India” at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Convention Centre here, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that 33 such STI Hubs have already been established and 7 are going to become operational soon by DST. The Minister said that these Hubs will directly benefit over 30,000 SC and ST population through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihood assets like energy, water, health, education, etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh also said that the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is providing grant-in-aid support to several Knowledge Institutions (KIs), and Science and Technology (S&T) based Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) for the holistic development of SC and ST communities.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed charge in May, 2014, the Tribal Community was given a “New Deal” and efforts were made in the last 8 years not only to give them more representation in government, but also to empower them through different schemes and interventions including in the areas of Education and Skill Development. The Minister also pointed out that during the UPA, only Rs 21,000 crore were provided for the welfare of tribal people, but under Modi, it has been enhanced to Rs 78,000 crore.
Dr Jitendra Singh also quoted Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day Address this 15th August, wherein he said, “When we talk about the freedom struggle, we cannot forget to acknowledge our tribal society living in forests. There are countless names like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Govind Guru, who became the voice of freedom movement and inspired my tribal brothers and sisters, mothers and youth in the remotest jungles to live and die for the motherland”.
Dr Jitendra Singh also said that it was the Modi Government which decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda every year on 15th November as Tribal Gaurav Diwas, coinciding with the Amrit Mahotsav
Dr Jitendra Singh said, for the first time in the country after independence, on such a large scale, the art-culture of the entire country’s tribal society, their contribution to the freedom movement and nation building is being remembered and honoured with pride.
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