A tripartite MoU was signed on 24 July, 2020 between TRIFED, IIT Delhi (on behalf of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, as the National Coordinating Institute) and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA, a Swadeshi Science Movement) to promote livelihood in tribal people based on their own resources and value additions, skill improvement, branding and marketing across the country.

The MoU was signed by Shri Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED; Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi and Secretary General, VIBHA.

On this occasion Dr VK Vijay, National Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) and Professor at IIT Delhi and other senior functionaries of the three organisation were also present.

Speaking about the significance of this agreement and the pivotal role it will play in tribal development, Shri Pravir Krishna, Managing Director TRIFED said, “TRIFED was actively working on convergences with various ministries for "Skill development for Tribal Livelihoods".It is important to ensure "round the year income earning opportunity" for tribals by engaging them in a variety of economic activities ranging from agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, Medicinal & Aromatic plants etc, going beyond Minor Forest Produces. The synergies with Institutions of National Importance like IIT Delhi will be crucial in our Mission to serve the Tribal cause, as we can leverage the huge network of academic and research institutions across the country under Unnat Bharat Abhyan, the MOE flagship programme."

With the partnership with IIT Delhi and Unnat Bharat Abhyan, these tribal forest dwellers engaged in Minor Forest Produces will get an exposure to newer processing technologies, product innovation, mentorship, transformational digital systems and handholding. The MoU opens gates for the best of brains in the country to attend to the problems of sustainable tribal livelihoods.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi said, “IIT Delhi is consciously working towards connecting with the society, in multiple ways. For example, we have these immersion programmes, where we are trying to put our faculty members and students in places where there are real problems, whether it is working in hospitals, working in villages, or in industry. That is how they can identify the problems and use the resources available on campus to develop solutions.”

The partnership is therefore an opportunity for the brilliant minds to be presented with the right set of real problems that they can help address, he added.