Tribal influence also infuses the religions, languages, medical and agricultural practices of India. The Gods Shiva, Kali, Krishna, and Ganesh all have tribal backgrounds. In the eighth century, the tribal forest goddess, Parvati, became Shiva's wife. Ganesh origins come from a tribe of elephant trainers. The languages of Oriya, Marati and Bengali developed by integration of tribal and local languages. Over the years, the tribal community developed an intimate knowledge of various plants and their medicinal uses played an invaluable role in the development of Ayurvedic medicines.

Tribals also play an important role in the development of agricultural practices like rotational cropping and fertility maintenance.

Health

Historically, the people from the tribal belt were very resilient. They migrated with their sheep along riverbeds, survived off the land, ate natural vegetation, planted crops, and survived off their knowledge. Over time, they became confined to one land and were introduced to new populations and diseases. Many of the tribals began to succumb to diarrhea, malaria, snakebites. Many of the illnesses ravaging this community can be prevented by basic health education, first aid, and proper hygiene, and better care of their natural resources. Sewa bharti hopes to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of the tribal population by equipping them with the basic knowledge to care for themselves and their environment.

Tribal Wealth

The wealth of tribal life is profoundly ancient and joyously colorful. Though every tribe retains and proclaims its individuality though language, dress, matrimonial patterns, and other customs, they share a rich treasure of history through their dance, song and folklore.

Artistic Expression

Dancing, singing and music is the life-beat of tribal culture. Local folk tunes, indigenously made instruments, and rhythmic dances makes for a unique experience. Dances are generally associated with happy occasions are a central part of most tribal festivals. Festivals often track agricultural harvests. Thus, when a crop is harvested or seeds are sown, tribal music and dance is heard throughout a village.

Art is also vital to tribal culture. It can represent the struggle, successes, failures, and joys of life. Some particular tribes like the Warli, Gond, and Halba are famous for their mud painting, bamboo-craft, bell-metal craft, and pottery.

Religious Beliefs

Most tribal Indians believe that God is present in every living being. That is evident in their thoughts and actions. It is also evident through their incredibly hospitable nature and warmth. For tribal Indians, because God is in all of us, "the guest is like God."

Also because most tribal Indians are farmers, they worship the land as Mother Earth. Thus, they share each moment of joy or grief with their Great Mother through dance, songs, and prayer.

It is time that education becomes the harbinger of hope and prosperity for the millions of rural and tribal children living in over 100,000 villages across India. Education has the ability to empower them and concurrently to make India strong.