President on Four-Day Visit to Jharkhand and Odisha | 28 Feb 2024

President Droupadi Murmu is on a four-day visit to Jharkhand and Odisha.

The President will grace the third convocation of Central University of Jharkhand in Ranchi and 25th convocation of Berhampur University in Bhanja Bihar.
She will be laying the foundation stone for:
- the Central Government Holiday Home at Rairangpur, Odisha.
- various road projects and a sports complex at Rairangpur.
She will interact with the members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Kadalibadi village at Gonasika, Keonjhar.
She will inaugurate:
- Eklavya Model Residential School in Barsahi.
- A national seminar on ‘Tribes of Keonjhar: people, culture and heritage’ and address the students of Dharanidhar University at its North Campus.
She will grace the golden jubilee celebration of Brahma Kumaris, Odisha and witness a presentation of PM JANMAN by the Government of Odisha at Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
She will visit various places related to Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi in Sambalpur district of Odisha and also meet the followers of Mahima Cult at Mini Stadium, Sambalpur.

A PVTG is a sub-classification of a Scheduled Tribe or section of a Scheduled Tribe that is considered more vulnerable than a regular Scheduled Tribe. The Indian Government created the PVTG list to improve their living.
- There are 75 PVTGs in India, the maximum 13 are in Odisha, followed by 12 in Andhra Pradesh.
Article 342(1): The President with respect to any State/UT (after consultation with the Governor in case of state) may specify the tribes/tribal communities/part of or groups within tribes/ tribal communities as a Scheduled Tribe in that State/UT.
- Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of STs specified in a notification issued under article 342(1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.

PM JANMAN is a government scheme that aims to bring tribal communities into the mainstream.
The scheme (comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) will be implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the State governments and the PVTG communities.
The scheme will concentrate on 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line Ministries, ensuring the implementation of existing schemes in villages inhabited by PVTGs.
- It encompasses various sectors, including safe housing under the PM-AWAS Scheme, access to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and telecommunications connectivity, as well as opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The plan also includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh households, and solar street lights.
The scheme is expected to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the PVTGs, by addressing their multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and exclusion, and by recognizing and valuing their unique and valuable contribution to national and global development.

Bhima Bhoi was a 19^th-century saint, poet and social reformer from the state of Odisha.
He was a follower of Mahima Swami, the founder of Mahima Cult.
He is known for his spiritual teachings and literary contributions in the form of Odia Bhajans and Chautisa (devotional song).
Stuti Chintamani is considered the most important poetical work of Bhima Bhoi.
- Other important works include Brahma Nirupana Gita, Astaka Bihari Gita, Chautisa Madhu Chakra, and Bhajanamala. Two collections, Atha Bhajan and Bangala Atha Bhajan are written in the Bengali language.