PM calls for online marketing of tribal products

Sai Nikesh | The Dollar Business

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Wednesday, urged the Ministry of Tribal Welfare to identify growth centers within tribal areas and ensure proper development of education, health and sports facilities in the country. Speaking at a high level meeting on tribal welfare, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry to focus on key areas like Technology Penetration and Infrastructure, among others, as a part of tribal welfare. Pointing to the role of technology as one of the key objectives towards tribal welfare, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry to work towards the implementation of ‘technology penetration’ – for instance, electricity and mobile phone reach – in the tribal areas.The PM also called for the linking of relatively undeveloped tribal areas with developed areas through good infrastructure. The Ministry of Tribal Welfare was also asked to explore the possibilities of the online marketing of products produced by tribals through e-commerce platforms. Speaking on the cultural aspects of tribal life and their vast repository of ancient knowledge,the Prime Minister urged the Ministry to work towards digital documentation of the same. Here, it is noteworthy to mention that Union Minister for Communication & Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, in a recent meeting with the US Under Secretary Catherine Novelli, had said that India is looking forward for the digital infrastructure, digital delivery of services and digital empowerment of citizens, as a process of achieving the Digital India Vision. The government is in the process of digitizing the services of the states, he added. On health aspects, the Prime Minister stressed the need for mapping of sickle cell anaemia among the tribal population, on a scientific basis. The PM also called for concerned departments to explore the possibility of a cure for this disease through stem cell therapy. The Prime Minister also instructed the NITI Aayog to involve relevant research institutions, and eminent experts in all aspects of planning for tribal areas. Urging the Ministry to play a key role, the Prime Minister called for the development of strategies to stop the spread of Left Wing Extremism. He said that various Ministries and wings of the Government of India should work in coordination to achieve this goal.  

This article was published on January 21, 2015.