Keonjhar, Feb 29: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday interacted with members of Juang tribe, a PVTG (particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) at Gonasika in Odisha’s Keonjhar district and said, "the tribals should live their life in full with the support from government and society".

Speaking on the occasion, the President said, “There is a proverb in Odia that ‘Dhoke Pi, Dande Ji’ (drink a drop and live for a while). But, we the tribals will no more drink a drop, we should live life in full and not for a while."

President Droupadi Murmu interacted with members of PVTGs of Kadalibadi village in Keonjhar, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/r2NL6QfaKJ
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 29, 2024

On the second day of her four-day visit to the State, Murmu reached Keonjhar district and had an interaction session with the Juang tribe men and women where she stressed on education, training, employment and health of tribals. She said tribals could be self-reliant if they become economically independent.

The President urged the tribal men and women to encouge their children to pursue basic education and not to leave their studies in the midway.

President Murmu also appealed the government to identify the dropout tribal children and impart vocational training to them so that they can earn their livelihood with dignity.

The President also urged the tribal gathering to be aware of different government schemes and take benefit from them. She said the tribal people are now entitled to get free of cost rice till 2029 and one should not be worried about the food for the next five years.

President Murmu also said that the central government has prepared a scheme worth Rs 24,000 crore for the development of 75 PVTGs in three years.

After interaction with PVTGs, President Murmu visited the Gupta Ganga temple and the Brahmaswara temple. She is scheduled to inaugurate a seminar in Keonjhar and address the students of Dharanidhar University this afternoon.

Later in the evening, the President will visit Bhubaneswar and grace the 53rd Convocation of Utkal University.

Notably, President Murmu arrived in Mayurbhanj yesterday on a four-day visit to the State. During her four-day visit, the President is scheduled to attend a series of programmes in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Cuttack, and Khordha districts.

Read More Odisha News

Argus English: Odisha's Top English News Platform | Latest Breaking News, Politics, Sports & Live TV