Somnath Dutta
-Senior Manager-Communication & Policy Engagement (CPE)
There was a time when a postman had to travel miles to deliver messages from one state to another, taking days or even weeks to convey information. Today, with just a single click, communication happens within a fraction of a second. While this is undoubtedly a gift of science, it is also the result of a digital drive that has transformed connectivity. In a country like India, with over 135 crore people, ensuring seamless communication is crucial—not just in big cities but also in the remotest regions, including tribal communities. This is only possible through an active digital push, integrating ICT into every aspect of life. According to the last census, tribal communities constitute about 8.6% of India’s population, and this number has likely grown over the last decade. With India having the world’s second-largest tribal population after Africa, bridging the digital divide is essential for inclusive growth. The country’s tribal groups, categorized into Primitive (Vulnerable) Tribal Groupings (PTGs) and Scheduled Tribes, encompass over 705 diverse communities. As India moves towards its vision of Vikshit Bharat 2047, digital empowerment of these communities is not just an opportunity but a necessity for holistic development.
Connecting through communication is not just about reaching people but also about truly listening to them. Often, the assumption is that reaching out means merely addressing their issues, but effective communication is not a one-way process. Understanding their thought process is equally important. It is a universal truth that grassroots ideas play a crucial role in shaping policies for a nation’s development. This holds true not only in governance but also in the corporate world, where evidence of its impact is widely seen. So, as we drive towards Vikshit Bharat 2047, shouldn’t we also prioritize their digital access? Ensuring a two-way communication channel from every corner of the nation is essential for truly inclusive progress.
The inclusion of ICT can serve as a window to understand and address the needs of tribal communities. While monitoring and evaluation are continuous processes in urban areas, rural and tribal regions must also be integrated into this framework through a unified access path. However, breaking barriers is crucial, and one of the biggest challenges is the digital divide—a gap where one section of society seamlessly accesses technology, while the other remains far removed from it. As we aspire to sit at the top of the global table by 2047, ensuring digital inclusion for tribal communities is imperative. Providing them with flexible digital access will open doors to education, communication, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Beyond development, digital access can play a crucial role in preserving and showcasing indigenous cultures to the world. At a time when many tribal traditions and rituals are fading, leveraging digital connectivity can serve as a powerful medium to safeguard and present these rich cultural roots with the world.
Tribal cultures and rituals hold the potential to unlock new horizons for our country. Their significance cannot be fully understood or preserved through analog means alone. Language, dialects, dance, music, and even food habits form an integral part of this rich heritage, connecting the dots of discovery and tracing cultural origins. While digital inclusion expands opportunities for socio-economic development, it also serves as a powerful tool for safeguarding and showcasing indigenous traditions. Cultural creativity is deeply intertwined with the thought process of the community, and understanding this perspective enables policymakers to make informed decisions. This is evident in various indigenous practices, such as the utilization of spring water and solar power in remote areas etc. The knowledge and potential exist, yet a lack of access acts as a barrier, disconnecting these communities from the rest of the country. Overcoming this divide requires addressing key challenges, including infrastructural development, capacity building, communication, transportation, and a strong socio-economic foundation.
In India, the Digital India campaign, launched on July 1, 2015, aims to enhance e-governance by strengthening digital infrastructure, ensuring digital service delivery, and promoting universal digital literacy. It integrates with key government initiatives like BharatNet, Make in India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, among others, to bridge the digital divide. While progress is visible, challenges persist—infrastructure gaps, affordability, and digital literacy remain key barriers. Addressing these is crucial, especially for marginalized communities. The Union Budget 2025-26 reflects this commitment, notably in tribal welfare, with a 45.79% budget increase for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Rs 14,925.81 crore). Key allocations include Rs 7,088.60 crore for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), to operationalize 728 schools by March 2026, benefiting 3.5 lakh tribal students with quality education and residential facilities and a fourfold hike in Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) funding (Rs 2,000 crore) to boost infrastructure and livelihoods in tribal regions. The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) scheme allocation has also doubled to Rs 300 crore, enhancing support for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These initiatives mark a significant step toward inclusive digital and tribal socio-economic empowerment.
The budget clearly underscores a strong focus on tribal development, with financial inclusion and increased allocations serving as a precursor to progress, particularly through the integration of ICT in every aspect. Alongside this, state-specific efforts and public-private collaborations will play a pivotal role in bridging existing gaps. NPOs act as key enablers, reaching communities, conducting studies, identifying gaps, and recommending solutions for more effective outcomes. Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), a policy advocacy think tank based in Mysuru, Karnataka, has been working for over a decade to drive tribal development, with digital inclusion as a central component of its initiatives. Through various research and development efforts, including the WeMill initiative and specialized educational programs for tribal communities, GRAAM continues to contribute meaningfully to this cause. It is evident that a collaborative approach can help bridge the remaining gaps in digital inclusion. To achieve this, addressing digital exclusion is crucial, as it is intertwined with factors such as the gender gap, geographical barriers, lack of universal access, and limited digital skills. Economic constraints further widen this divide, preventing disadvantaged communities from fully engaging with ICTs. Additionally, challenges like cultural inertia, lack of digital literacy, unavailability of internet networks in remote areas, and inadequate healthcare and awareness programs must be systematically addressed. Without tackling these issues, even the most well-intended schemes may struggle to achieve their intended impact. Integrating ICT into tribal development can serve as a powerful tool for digital empowerment, particularly by leveraging agro-tribal diversity. Creating sustainable employment opportunities through digital access is a key step toward realizing the vision of Vikshit Bharat 2047.
In conclusion, the greater the collaboration from all sectors of society, the broader the development opportunities for tribal communities. Continuous monitoring and evaluation are essential to identifying gaps and ensuring sustainable solutions for effective policy implementation. As India strives toward Vikshit Bharat 2047, fostering two-way communication is crucial—not just for outreach but also for understanding and incorporating the perspectives of tribal communities into policy-making. This approach will not only enhance their livelihoods but also help preserve indigenous culture. By strengthening digital inclusion, creating employment opportunities, and fostering meaningful connections, we can pave the way for a digitally empowered tribal India—ultimately contributing to a developed nation and the success of mission Vikshit Bharat.
