Bhopal, June 18 (IANS) As President Droupadi Murmu began her five-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, the Opposition Congress on Thursday urged her to take note of the challenges faced by the state’s tribal community and direct the government to act on key issues of education, health and livelihood.

In a statement, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, Jitu Patwari, welcomed the President on behalf of the people of the state and said her life of “struggle, service, and dedication to constitutional values” is a source of inspiration for millions of tribal people.

“On the occasion of your visit to Madhya Pradesh, I wish to draw your attention to the challenges faced by the state’s tribal community — challenges that keep them distant from the mainstream of development and rights,” Patwari said.

He pointed out that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country, with 1.53 crore Scheduled Tribes making up about 21 per cent of the state’s population.

“Education is the primary vehicle for the advancement of the tribal community, yet their literacy rate falls significantly below the state average. While MP’s overall literacy rate exceeds 70 per cent, the rate among Scheduled Tribes is recorded at around 50 per cent,” Patwari said.

He added that healthcare services in tribal regions are facing a severe crisis with acute shortage of doctors at Primary Health Centres and high burden of malnutrition and maternal mortality.

The Congress listed ten demands, including a special emergency plan for education and health in tribal areas, filling vacant posts of teachers and doctors in a time-bound manner, 100 per cent compliance with the Forest Rights Act, and a special employment mission for tribal youth.

“Today, the need is not merely to announce schemes, but to translate the spirit of constitutional justice into reality on the ground. The tribal community of Madhya Pradesh seeks rights, not charity,” Patwari said.

Meanwhile, President Murmu arrived in Indore on Thursday morning and was received at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Governor Mangubhai Patel. She left for Betul to attend the programme ‘Empowerment of Tribal Society by Spiritual Awakening’ organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. Later she will travel to Omkareshwar.

On June 19, the President will attend a programme on International Sickle Cell Anaemia Day in Madhya Pradesh, a major public health concern among tribal populations.

After a brief visit to West Bengal, she will return on June 20 to Jabalpur to participate in International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 and attend the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya.

On June 22, she is scheduled to visit Kuno National Park in Sheopur before departing for New Delhi.

–IANS

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