The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has unveiled a renewed vision for strengthening Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) as centres of knowledge, innovation and evidence-based policymaking for tribal development.

Inaugurating a national workshop in Bhubaneswar, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram called for integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technology to preserve tribal heritage and promote inclusive growth.

The two-day National Workshop on Strengthening Tribal Research Institutes began in Bhubaneswar this morning, bringing together policymakers, researchers, academicians and technology experts from across the country.

Addressing the inaugural session, Mr Oram said Tribal Research Institutes must evolve into centres of excellence that seamlessly integrate indigenous knowledge with modern research and technological innovation. He underscored the need to preserve tribal languages, culture and traditional knowledge while leveraging digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence to strengthen research, documentation and policy formulation.

A major highlight of the workshop was the launch of TribeX, a first-of-its-kind digital learning platform dedicated to tribal arts, culture, languages and traditional knowledge. The deliberations will culminate in the Bhubaneswar Declaration, envisaged as a national roadmap for revitalising Tribal Research Institutes across the country.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey is also attending the workshop.