President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates National Tribal Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ in New Delhi

The National Tribal Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ was inaugurated by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in New Delhi on February 16, 2025. The festival, organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a celebration of India’s rich tribal heritage, culture, and traditions. The event is being held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, from February 16 to 24, 2025.

Aadi Mahotsav: A Platform to Promote Tribal Culture

While addressing the gathering, President Murmu emphasized that Aadi Mahotsav is a crucial initiative to highlight and promote the heritage of India’s tribal communities. The festival acts as a bridge between tribal entrepreneurs, artisans, and artists and the broader market, allowing them to showcase their skills and products to a national and international audience.

The festival presents a unique opportunity to appreciate the traditional crafts, food, attire, jewelry, medical practices, household equipment, and sports of tribal societies. These elements, deeply rooted in sustainability and environmental harmony, reflect a modern and scientific approach to living while preserving the essence of age-old traditions.

Government Initiatives for Tribal Development

The President highlighted that over the past 10 years, the Indian government has undertaken several significant initiatives for the upliftment and economic empowerment of tribal communities.

Increased Budget Allocation for Tribal Welfare

• The Tribal Development Budget has seen a fivefold increase, reaching approximately ₹1.25 lakh crore.
• The Tribal Welfare Budget Allocation has tripled, now standing at ₹15,000 crore.

Promoting Tribal Identity and Rapid Development

The President underscored that India’s true progress is only possible when tribal communities flourish. Hence, the government is actively working on multi-dimensional strategies to preserve and promote tribal culture while ensuring economic and social development.

Education and Employment: The Path to Economic Empowerment

President Murmu expressed her happiness regarding the steady progress in education and employment opportunities for tribal communities. She emphasized that education is the cornerstone of societal development.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• Currently, 1.25 lakh tribal children are receiving school education through over 470 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.
• These schools are bridging the education gap by providing quality learning opportunities in remote tribal areas.

Medical Education and Healthcare Reforms

• In the past 10 years, the government has established 30 new medical colleges in tribal-dominated regions to enhance healthcare accessibility.
• A National Mission on Tribal Health has been launched to address specific health challenges in tribal communities.
• A major goal of this mission is to eradicate sickle cell anemia by 2047, improving the health conditions of tribal populations.

Aadi Mahotsav: A Cultural Extravaganza

Aadi Mahotsav serves as a vibrant platform where visitors can experience the rich and diverse traditions of India’s tribal communities. The festival includes:

• Tribal handicrafts and art exhibitions showcasing traditional craftsmanship.
• Ethnic food stalls featuring authentic tribal delicacies.
• Cultural performances including folk dances, music, and storytelling.
• Workshops and interactive sessions on tribal customs, traditions, and medicinal practices.

Aadi Mahotsav 2025 – Summary in Tabular Format