Meri Parampara – Meri Virasat
Context:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) recently organized a day-long brainstorming session on "Meri Parampara – Meri Virasat" (My Tradition – My Heritage) in New Delhi.
The session focused on the documentation and digital preservation of tribal heritage in Scheduled Areas, with Chhattisgarh becoming the second state to officially adopt this initiative.
Origins:
The campaign was first launched by the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jharkhand, on January 26, 2025, under the theme "Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat".
The initiative is envisioned and supported by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj to strengthen traditional governance systems in Scheduled Areas.
About the Initiative:
The primary goal is to preserve and pass on the rich cultural heritage integral to the traditional governance systems of Scheduled Tribe communities to future generations.
The campaign covers a diverse canvas of tribal life, including folk songs, festivals, worship practices, oral traditions, art forms, and customary governance systems.
As highlighted by the MoPR Secretary, traditions and customs define a community's identity; their loss erodes its distinct character.
Therefore, the initiative emphasizes a community-centred approach, ensuring that heritage is documented and preserved by the communities themselves to maintain authenticity.
Implementation Details:
The workshop was organized by the MoPR in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the Ministry of Culture, and the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the Government of Chhattisgarh.
With 42 recognised Scheduled Tribes, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Chhattisgarh presents a rich cultural landscape for this pilot.
MANAV Vision for Ethical, Inclusive AI Governance (Current affairs)
Context:
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s comprehensive "MANAV" vision for artificial intelligence.
The summit, the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, focused on aligning AI's transformative potential with the principle of "AI for Humanity"
Decoding the MANAV Framework:
The Prime Minister emphasized that AI should not be an autonomous force driven solely by data but an extension of human aspirations.
He encapsulated this in the MANAV (meaning 'Human') acronym:
M – Moral and Ethical Systems:
AI development must be grounded in ethical guidance and moral principles.
A – Accountable Governance:
There must be transparent rules and robust oversight mechanisms.
N – National Sovereignty:
Emphasizing data ownership with the maxim "whose data, his right".
A – Accessible and Inclusive:
AI should serve as a multiplier rather than a monopoly, ensuring benefits reach all strata of society.
V – Value-based Systems:
Technology must align with enduring societal values and human dignity.
Key Highlights of the Summit:
The vision aligns with the national ethos of "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (Welfare for all, Happiness for all).
The Prime Minister announced the launch of three new AI models and apps developed by Indian companies, showcasing the talent of the nation's youth.
He invited global technology leaders to "Design and Develop in India, Deliver to the World".