PIB Summary - 25th June 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

India Launches Largest-Ever Tribal Empowerment Campaign — DhartiAabaJanbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)

Context & Significance

• This campaign is the largest tribal outreach initiative in independent India, organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

• It honors Birsa Munda, known as Dharti Aaba, who is a symbol of tribal pride, as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.

• The campaign reflects the Prime Minister's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas," which means working together for the progress and trust of all.

Scale and Coverage

• The campaign will run from June 15 to July 15, 2025.

• It will cover over 1 lakh tribal villages and PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) habitations across more than 550 districts in 31 states and union territories.

• The aim is to reach over 5.5 crore tribal citizens.

Major Outcomes (First 9 Days)

• More than 53 lakh tribal citizens reached through over 22,000 camps.

• Aadhaar enrolments. 1.38 lakh+

• Ayushman Bharat cards issued: 1.68 lakh+

• PM-Kisan registrations. 46,000+

• PM Ujjwala Yojana enrolments. 22,000+

• Jan Dhan accounts opened: 32,000+

Key Services Delivered

• Social Security: Services like pensions, PM-JDY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana), and Ayushman cards are being provided to ensure social security for tribal citizens.
• Livelihood Support: Livelihood programs such as PM-Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) and start-up support are being delivered to enhance the livelihood opportunities of tribal communities.
• Legal and Land Rights: Assistance is being provided for the Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims to help tribal communities secure their land and legal rights.
• Nutrition and Health: There is a focus on improving nutrition and health, particularly through the promotion of millets and maternal nutrition initiatives.
• Cultural Revival: Efforts are being made to showcase and revive tribal culture, including art, music, and cuisine, to preserve and promote tribal heritage.

Five Pillars of DAJA Governance

• Janbhagidari: This pillar focuses on community participation, ensuring that tribal communities are actively involved in the implementation of programs and initiatives.
• Saturation: The goal is to achieve 100% coverage of eligible households, leaving no one behind in the delivery of services and benefits.
• Cultural Inclusion: This involves the use of tribal languages and art in the implementation of programs, ensuring that cultural aspects are respected and integrated.
• Convergence: Different ministries, civil society organizations (CSOs), and youth groups are encouraged to work together, promoting a collaborative approach to governance.
• Last-Mile Delivery: There is a special focus on delivering services and benefits to remote areas and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), ensuring that the last mile is covered effectively.

State-Level Highlights

• Ladakh: Emphasis on millet-based tribal nutrition, highlighted during a visit by the Finance Minister.
• Assam: The Chief Minister has identified this initiative as the beginning of a new era in tribal development.
• Maharashtra: Focus on promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance among tribal communities.
• Kerala:. tribal conclave has been organized to foster collaborative planning for tribal development.
• Andhra Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh: Special attention to including forest-dwelling and vulnerable groups in the development process.

Mobilisation and Participation

• Extensive Involvement: The initiative involves over 3,000 blocks, 700 tribal communities, and 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Support from Various Sectors: There is active support from the MY Bharat campaign, National Service Scheme (NSS), students, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Cultural Celebrations: The initiative includes pan-India cultural celebrations showcasing tribal cuisine, dances, and crafts, promoting tribal culture and heritage.

Vision and Impact

• Inclusive Governance: The initiative represents a step towards inclusive and participatory governance, ensuring that tribal communities are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation. 
• New Benchmark: It sets a new standard in service delivery focused on tribal needs, ensuring that services are tailored to the specific requirements of tribal communities. 
• Grassroots Revolution: The initiative is perceived as a grassroots revolution aimed at enhancing the dignity and identity of tribal communities, empowering them and recognizing their contributions and rights. 

A new innovation cleans water with the help of Sunlight, Vibration and Artificial Intelligence (AI), enables Bio-degradable, Eco-friendly and Low-cost Technology

Context and Innovation Overview 

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Mohali, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a new water purification system that is biodegradable, eco-friendly, and low-cost.
• This innovative system targets industrial dye pollutants such as Methylene Blue and Congo Red found in wastewater.
• The purification process combines sunlight, mechanical vibrations, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), creating a sustainable and efficient solution for water treatment.
• This technology is relevant to GS Paper 3 (Science and Technology, Environment – Pollution) as it addresses the critical issue of water pollution with an innovative approach.

The Technology Explained

• Core Structure: The system is built on a 3D-printed scaffold made from Polylactic Acid (PLA), which is a biodegradable polymer.
• Catalyst: The catalyst used is Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO₃), which is coated on the PLA scaffold. This combination enables piezo-photocatalysis,. process that enhances pollutant degradation using both light and mechanical energy.
• Principle: The technology relies on two main processes:
• Photocatalysis: Sunlight activates the BiFeO₃ catalyst, which helps break down the pollutants in the water.
• Piezocatalysis: Gentle mechanical vibrations trigger the catalyst, making it effective even on cloudy days when sunlight is less intense.
• Result: The combination of solar and mechanical energy leads to efficient degradation of pollutants, making the system robust and reliable.

AI-Driven Smart Efficiency

• Machine Learning Models: Advanced machine learning models, such as Artificial Neural Networks, are trained to predict the performance of the water purification system under various conditions.
• High Accuracy: These models achieve up to 99% accuracy in their predictions, helping to optimize the system's real-world application and scalability.

Performance Highlights

• The system has demonstrated impressive performance by removing 98.9% of Congo Red and 74.3% of Methylene Blue from wastewater.
• It has outperformed many conventional water treatment systems that are often high in cost.
• Notably, this technology completely avoids the use of hazardous chemicals or energy-intensive techniques, making it a safer and more sustainable option for water purification.

Environmental and Industrial Relevance

• Eco-friendly and Reusable: The system is made of biodegradable PLA, making it environmentally friendly and suitable for reuse.
• Low-cost and Scalable: The technology is accessible to both industries and rural communities, offering a low-cost solution for water purification.
• Fossil Fuel-free Operation: The system operates on renewable solar and mechanical energy, aligning with sustainability goals and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Sustainable Development Implications

•  The water purification system contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation. It also supports other goals such as SDG 9 (Innovation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
•  The technology is ideal for circular economy models, making it suitable for industries like textiles and pharmaceuticals, where water pollution is a significant concern.