Launch of First Regional Process Lab (RPL) under the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan at Bengaluru

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, July 11:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, today inaugurated the first Regional Process Lab (RPL) of the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan Responsive Governance Programme at Hotel Royal Orchid Central, Bengaluru. This initiative, aligned with the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), aims to build a nationwide cadre of over 20 lakh tribal change leaders equipped to drive responsive governance in tribal regions.

The event brought together top officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, senior bureaucrats from southern states, and nominated State Master Trainers (SMTs) from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs

The Secretary termed the Abhiyan a “historic opportunity” to build a new paradigm of tribal governance that empowers frontline workers and institutional actors at the grassroots. Acknowledging the steady rise in tribal development budgets, he noted that persistent gaps call for deeper localized governance mechanisms, strengthened by inter-departmental collaboration and the leadership of SMTs. He urged the trainers to view themselves as “pioneers and vanguards of change,” committed to transforming tribal communities through structured convergence. The Secretary also expressed confidence in the southern region’s potential to emerge as a model of responsive tribal governance.

Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka

Welcoming all participants, the Chief Secretary lauded the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan as a “very unique and timely intervention” in the tribal development landscape. She underscored that inclusive development must go beyond infrastructure and focus on saturating all basic human development indicators, including land rights, livelihoods, and education. She stressed that such programmes cannot be imposed-they must be organic, culturally rooted, and locally resonant. The Chief Secretary pledged Karnataka’s institutional support, offering training infrastructure such as SIRD Mysore, Extension Training Centres, and Panchayat-level facilities, equipped with connectivity and learning tools to aid SMTs and DMTs.

Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare Department, Karnataka

The Abhiyan’s potential to empower both individuals and institutions, noting Karnataka’s robust implementation of tribal schemes such as PM JANMAN, Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, and DAJGUA. While achievements are evident, he acknowledged that last-mile service delivery and linkages need reinforcement, and this RPL plays a pivotal role in building that capacity.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Describing Bengaluru as a hub of innovation, he called the Abhiyan a “forward-thinking, convergence-based innovation” aligned with the Prime Minister’s Karmayogi vision.

Conducted on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, the RPL is positioned as a space where SMTs are groomed as both teachers and changemakers. He celebrated the rich traditions of ST communities and called for blending heritage with governance excellence.

Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tribal Affairs

The EA, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, described the RPL as a “melting pot of knowledge and learning”, where grassroots wisdom from across geographies will drive system transformation. Drawing from the evolution of tribal initiatives-PM-JANMAN as a “Whole of Government” approach, DAJGUA as “Whole of Society”, and now Aadi Karmayogi as a “Whole of Nation” approach-she emphasized the importance of breaking silos, reducing information asymmetry, and integrating line departments for coordinated delivery.

Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu

He reaffirmed that all tribal villages in Tamil Nadu would be brought under the Abhiyan’s fold and highlighted the critical role of convergence and grassroots participation in designing relevant, inclusive policies for tribal development.

Towards Empowered Cadres and Celebrated Change Agents

The RPL is a key step in the Abhiyan’s cascade capacity-building model, where SMTs trained in this Lab will later anchor State Process Labs to train District Master Trainers (DMTs). Notably, the programme also integrates civil society partners (CSOs) to enhance participatory learning and local contextualization.

In recognition of exemplary participation, SMTs and DMTs will be felicitated at the upcoming “Aadikarita National Meet”, where India’s tribal development champions will converge, celebrate, and share their learnings and innovations.