Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined a host of dignitaries at the National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Friday.

The two-day event, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, aims to strengthen constitutional safeguards and promote inclusive development for marginalized communities. The conference is expected to generate actionable recommendations for empowering SC/ST communities and building a “Developed India” by 2047.

आज भुवनेश्वर, ओडिशा में SC/ST कल्याण समितियों के माननीय सभापतियों के राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलन में लोकसभा के माननीय अध्यक्ष श्री @ombirlakota जी, राज्यसभा के माननीय उपसभापति श्री @harivansh1956 जी, ओडिशा के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री @MohanMOdisha जी, ओडिशा विधानसभा अध्यक्ष श्रीमती… pic.twitter.com/rX2zyTiMpi

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 29, 2025

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pradhan expressed his honour at participating alongside Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister, at the outset, paid tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, and welcomed all advocates of social justice to the sacred land of Lord Jagannath.

Pradhan lauded the initiative as a symbol of equality, dignity, and justice, and commended Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for spearheading the effort. He emphasized that the conference is not only a platform for empowering Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but also a historic step toward extending democratic governance to the most underserved sections of society.

Recalling Odisha’s legacy in the freedom struggle, Pradhan highlighted the contributions of legendary tribal leaders Veer Surendra Sai and Laxman Naik in defending the rights of the oppressed. He also noted the establishment of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 1999 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Jual Oram as its first minister, as a milestone in India’s commitment to social justice.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Inaugurates National Conference On SC/ST Welfare In Bhubaneswar

Pradhan reiterated that prioritizing the welfare of the disadvantaged is central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance. He pointed to the National Education Policy 2020 as a transformative framework aimed at creating an inclusive society through equitable access to education.

The conference, themed “Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees on Welfare, Development and Empowerment of SCs and STs,” brought together over 120 delegates from across India, including chairpersons and members of SC/ST welfare committees from Parliament and 19 states.

This historic event marks the first time the conference is being held outside New Delhi since its inception in 1976.