NEW DELHI (India): Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan has said that science must be blended with tradition to transform tribal lives.
Speaking after inaugurating a conference on “Transformation of Tribal Lives through Science and Technological Interventions – Preserving Language, Faith and Culture” at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday, Radhakrishnan said that modern development and preservation of traditions were not contradictory but complementary.
The combination of scientific temper and technological advancement with traditional knowledge was a powerful tool, he said. When modern science worked in harmony with language, faith and culture, it became a powerful force for protection and empowerment, he also said.
Radhakrishnan said the tribal communities in India had invaluable traditional knowledge that supported biodiversity and sustainable use of forest resources, and for centuries, these communities have preserved India’s ancient culture, faith and heritage.
Pointing out that India had around 1.4 lakh tribal villages, which accounted for nearly 9 per cent of the country’s population, the Vice President said that tribal areas offered immense potential for green economic development. Tribal communities had exceptional skills in design, textiles and color combinations, which have been preserved over generations, he said.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, he stated that the guiding principle was “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”.
The conference was organized by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, in collaboration with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) and ITITI Doon Sanskriti School, Dehradun.
The Vice President congratulated ITITI Doon Sanskriti School on its Silver Jubilee year. The school was inaugurated 25 years ago by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said. Lauding the school for emerging as a beacon of hope for tribal children across Uttarakhand, the North-East and Ladakh, Radhakrishnan noted that more than 2,000 tribal students have benefited from free quality education at the institution.
Addressing the gathering, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that progress must go hand in hand with tradition. Progress has meaning only when it strengthens identity and keeps cultural roots intact, he said.
Science and technology should support humans and not replace them, he said, adding that faith must be respected, culture celebrated and languages must be protected.
“Let us work towards a future where modernization strengthens our roots instead of weakening them. Because true progress is not just about moving ahead – it is about carrying our identity with us,” he emphasized. Technology must act as a bridge for preserving languages, documenting oral histories, and connecting tradition with modern education, and must expand opportunity while strengthening roots, he also said.
Mein said that Arunachal Pradesh had shown that development and tradition could go hand in hand.
Also present at the program were Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology Prof. Abhay Karandikar, and former MP and Founder Trustee of ITITI Doon Sanskriti School Tarun Vijay.
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