Meghalaya Traditional
Knowledge Portal

Media

NCST Chairman Calls for Stronger Empowerment of Tribal Youth at Chakma Yuva Samvad in Delhi

  • April 12, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

Emphasising the critical role of youth in shaping the future of tribal communities, Shri Antar Singh Arya, Hon’ble Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), called for intensified efforts towards education, skill development, and employment generation for tribal youth. He was addressing the “Chakma Yuva Samvad: Empowering Tribal Youth & Celebration of Bizu Festival” organised in the national capital New Delhi. A series of technical sessions and panel discussions were organised focusing on education, skill development, and employment opportunities for tribal youth and minority communities. 

Union Minister Jual Oram Calls NSTFDC a Catalyst for Tribal Entrepreneurship at 25th Foundation Day

  • April 10, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at Vishwa Yuva Kendra, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram highlighted the transformative role played by NSTFDC in empowering Scheduled Tribe communities across the country. Emphasizing its people-centric approach, he underscored the Corporation’s focus on providing collateral-free financial assistance, ensuring wider access among tribal beneficiaries.The Minister reiterated that NSTFDC’s vision goes beyond job creation, aiming to foster entrepreneurship and enable individuals to become job providers rather than job seekers. 

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 Concludes with Grand Closing Ceremony; Top Tribal Artisans and Sellers Felicitated

  • April 05, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs organised in association with TRIFED, concluded on 05 April 2026 with a grand closing ceremony at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, marking the culmination of a 19-day celebration of tribal culture, craftsmanship, and enterprise.

The closing ceremony witnessed the felicitation of top-performing tribal artisans and sellers across ten categories—Pottery, Cane & Bamboo, Jewellery, Cuisines, Gifts & Assortments, Metal, Naturals, Paintings, Textiles, and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). The awards were presented by Shri M. Rajamurugan, IPS, Managing Director, TRIFED, and Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in the presence of dignitaries and stakeholders.

The festival served as a comprehensive platform for tribal artisans, self-help groups, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, and entrepreneurs from across the country, facilitating direct market access and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Organizes a National-Level CSR Conclave on “Empowering Tribals through CSR and Pledging Partnership for Tribal Upliftment”

  • March 24, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

A National-Level CSR Conclave on the theme “Empowering Tribals through CSR and Pledging Partnership for Tribal Upliftment” on 24th March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi was organised by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It  was graced by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram and the Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey in the presence of Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and leading private companies.

The deliberations dwelled upon possible ways to bring sectoral expertise, innovation, and professional management under CSR initiatives to address gaps that may not be covered under conventional government frameworks.

Bharat Tribes Business Conclave 2026 Inaugurated at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi; Advancing Tribal Enterprise and Industry Partnerships

  • March 19, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Bharat Tribes Fest – Business Conclave was inaugurated today at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, as part of the ongoing Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.The Conclave was inaugurated by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the august presence of Smt. Roop Rashi, Additional Secretary and CEO, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of MSME; Shri Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Shri M. Rajamurugan, Managing Director, TRIFED. The Conclave is sponsored by the Ministry of Coal and being held in association withFederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Tribal Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TICCI), serving as the Knowledge Partners.

Govt Boosts Tribal Tourism: Capacity Building Workshop Empowers Homestay Owners from Three States

  • March 19, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, in collaboration with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), successfully organized a Capacity Building Workshop for Tribal Homestay Owners at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi.

The workshop brought together tribal homestay owners and their teams from Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, underscoring the Government’s commitment to promoting community-led, sustainable tourism as a key driver of tribal livelihood enhancement. The workshop highlighted key Government programmes that are strengthening infrastructure, skills, and economic opportunities in tribal regions: PM JANMAN (PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan), DAJGUA (Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes), Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, Empowering Tribal Entrepreneurs. 

The workshop reflects a broader national vision to: Promote inclusive tourism growth, Strengthen local livelihoods in tribal regions, Encourage cultural preservation through economic empowerment and Enhance last-mile delivery of welfare schemes.

India–Vietnam Ministerial Meeting Deepens Cooperation in Tribal and Ethnic Development

  • March 18, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

A high-level bilateral meeting between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, was convened 18 March 2026 in New Delhi, to further advance cooperation in the field of tribal and ethnic development. The Ministerial meeting was co-chaired by Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, and Hon’ble Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Vietnam, H.E. Dao Ngoc Dung, marking a significant step in elevating the ongoing bilateral engagement to the leadership level.

The discussions built upon the outcomes of the earlier meeting between senior officials, led by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and H.E. Y Thong, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Vietnam, where both sides exchanged perspectives on policy frameworks, development strategies, and best practices concerning tribal and ethnic communities, thereby laying a strong foundation for enhanced institutional collaboration.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches “RISA: Timeless Tribal” - A Premium Signature Brand

  • March 18, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

In a pathbreaking initiative to bring India’s rich tribal heritage to the forefront of global fashion and lifestyle, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram launched a  dedicated premium signature brand, “RISA: Timeless Tribal,” on 18th March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi in the august presence of Smt. Savitri Thakur, Hon’ble MoS Women and Child Development, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Shri M. Rajamurugan, MD TRIFED, and renowned designer Shri Manish Tripathi.

 

The premium signature brand, RISA, aims to move with an ambitious vision to preserve tribal looms and craft traditions, and to draw focus and generate interest among discerning consumers towards tribal fabric/apparel, embroideries and handicrafts. The initiative aims to create a unique brand identity for tribal products, ensuring that the intricate craftsmanship of India’s ethnic communities finds its rightful place in premium domestic and international markets. RISA is designed to bridge the gap between traditional techniques and contemporary demand, in the first phase the project will encompasses 10 clusters covering 5 tribal weaves, 2 embroideries and 3 crafts, as noted by N. S. Raji, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram Inaugurates Tribes Art Fest 2026 Featuring Over 30 Tribal Artforms, 75 Tribal Artists and 1,000 Artworks

  • March 02, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, 02 March 2026 inaugurated the 12-day festival at Travancore Palace, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to preservation of tribal heritage alongside structured economic empowerment of tribal communities.

The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity.

Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.

Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram Inaugurates Tribes Art Fest 2026 Featuring Over 30 Tribal Artforms, 75 Tribal Artists and 1,000 Artworks

  • March 02, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity. Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.

Beyond exhibition, TAF includes panel discussions on themes such as Tribal Art Revival & Sustainable Futures, Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces, and Livelihoods & Market Linkages. The programme also includes participatory workshops, storytelling through tribal arts, illustrated talks and live demonstrations. Over 100 tribal students pursuing art from across India are being provided curated walkthroughs, mentorship sessions with senior tribal artists, and exposure to live creative processes.