Betul (MP)

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said that the indigenous people’s way of life, which is tied to nature and reverence for it, holds the key to peace and harmony in a world currently plagued by tension, strife, and war.

She was addressing a programme, titled “Empowerment of tribal society by spiritual awakening”, organised by the spiritual organisation Brahma Kumaris in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district.

The President said that the lives and traditions of forest dwellers embody peace and harmony, noting that tribal communities worship the earth, the sun, water and trees.

Their way of life holds the key to peace and harmony in a world currently plagued by tension, strife, and war, she said.

Highlighting indigenous people’s deep respect for nature, she said they use trees for firewood only after they have dried up and even offer prayers before cutting them.

“In an era of rampant materialism, the lives of indigenous people demonstrate simplicity, love, and harmony and shun violence,” she said.

She said the tribal society lives with self-respect and patience and does not speak about its problems. “They never ask for anything and live with nature and with the hope that they will get things with time. They prefer to live in peace,” she said.

The President said that the tribal society comes forward in every aspect of life. According to the Indian philosophy of life, real empowerment happens when society is empowered in other things along with economic development, she said.

In today’s fast-paced world, driven by a culture of consumption, spiritual awareness in every segment of society becomes crucial, she said.

This forms the basis for developing long-term, sustainable behaviour patterns and a lifestyle sensitive to natural resources, she said, adding that in the current tense and war-torn world, the need for this is greater than at any time in the past.

President Murmu also addressed modern agricultural challenges, saying that foreign chemical pesticides are turning fertile land barren. She said traditional communities have long practised organic farming.“Now, we are returning to organic farming,” she said.

Murmu also lauded the Brahma Kumaris for their support for indigenous communities.

Madhya Pradesh Governor, Mangubhai Patel and Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey were present on the occasion.

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President Murmu is on a five-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, during which she will participate in various programmes, offer prayers in Omkareshwar and visit Kuno National Park, home to several cheetahs, officials have said.