Betul (MP), Jun 18: 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 also said that foreign chemical pesticides were turning fertile land barren, and made a pitch for organic farming.
President Murmu 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.
She said 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.
“Today, the need for such values in a world afflicted by tension and war is greater than at any other period in history. The importance of such conferences and efforts, therefore, increases even more,” she said.
Murmu said tribal communities offer reverence even when they cause any harm to the earth.
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.
The President said the tribal community 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.
She said the lifestyle of tribal communities is inherently close to the fundamental inspirations of spirituality.
“We call tribal communities adivasis. Some people call them vanvasis. They are adivasis,” Murmu said.
She said indigenous communities have lived on this earth since the beginning of creation and their way of life is rooted in spirituality.
“They know how to live with happiness, peace, joy and love. They stay away from violence. They were the same in ancient times and remain the same even today. Like wet clay, they can be moulded into any form. They worship nature and not just nature, but the five elements,” the President said.
“They worship the earth, sky, air, water, the sun and the moon. They do not build temples or separate places of worship,” she added.
In an era of rampant materialism, the lives of indigenous people demonstrate simplicity, love and harmony. They shun violence, 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 spheres 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.
President Murmu arrived in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday for a five-day visit, during which she will participate in various programmes, offer prayers in Omkareshwar and visit Kuno National Park, home to several cheetahs, officials said. (PTI)
