Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, today emphasised that it is the people’s collective responsibility to protect and preserve tribal traditions regardless of where they come from. Addressing the National Tribal Literary Festival 2025 in New Delhi, the Minister said the tribes of India have a rich and varied history which can be transformed into stories for children to learn and cherish tribal culture and heritage. Mrs Thakur raised concerns over dimishing use and status of indigenous languages. She called for their greater promotion and providing safe spaces to protect them from imposition by more popular languages like English. The Minister also highlighted the growing phenomenon of reverse migration and said that people today are moving back to villages from cities to live a more natural, healthy and balanced life.    

The National Tribal Literary Festival is a two-day event, featuring film screenings, panel discussions, and conferences to promote tribal literature on a global platform while celebrating the diversity and richness of tribal culture. The Festival is being organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the National Tribal Research Institute as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations, in honour of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.