Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated a conference titled “Transformation of Tribal Lives through Science and Technological Interventions – Preserving Language, Faith and Culture” at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He emphasized the need for modern development to coexist with cultural preservation, stating that India is home to nearly 1.4 lakh tribal villages, which account for around 9% of the population. Radhakrishnan highlighted the role of tribal communities as custodians of biodiversity and their skills in design and textiles, which can contribute to sustainable economies. He reiterated the vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” advocating for development that respects tradition. The Vice President also mentioned government initiatives such as the PM-JANMAN programme, which has sanctioned over 2,400 roads and 160 bridges, and the Dharti Abha initiative to enhance living standards in tribal villages. He acknowledged the contributions of past leaders in promoting tribal welfare and congratulated ITITI Doon Sanskriti School for its role in providing education to tribal children.