Suparjya swain 
FEATURE: From the forested hills and red soil of Sundargarh to the grand halls of the Indian Parliament, Shri Jual Oram’s journey reflects a life shaped by grassroots struggles, steady leadership, and a commitment to bringing tribal voices into national policy-making. Today, he is one of India’s most recognised tribal leaders — a five-time Member of Parliament, twice serving as Union Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs, and a constant voice for the rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribes across the country.
Born in 1961 in Kendudihi, a remote village in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, Shri Oram’s early life was grounded in the rhythms of rural life — where hard work was a necessity and community bonds ran deep. His educational path took him to Rourkela’s Utkalmani Gopabandhu Institute of Engineering, where he earned a diploma in Electrical Engineering. Before entering public life, he worked as an assistant foreman at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), gaining an insider’s understanding of India’s industrial workforce.
Politics called to him in 1989, when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a time when the party was still building its base in Odisha. Within a year, Shri Oram was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Bonai constituency, serving two consecutive terms and quickly emerging as one of the party’s most trusted tribal leaders. His organisational skills and grassroots connect saw him rise steadily — District Vice-President of BJP Sundargarh, National Vice-President of the BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha, and later, three terms as President of BJP Odisha.
Shri Oram’s leap to national politics came in 1998 when he won the Sundargarh (ST) Lok Sabha seat. That victory proved historic — in 1999, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appointed him as the country’s first-ever Union Cabinet Minister for the newly created Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It was a role that aligned perfectly with his lifelong commitment to the upliftment of tribal communities.
Over the years, his parliamentary career has been marked by significant responsibilities — from being Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Defence to serving on key committees for social justice and empowerment. His leadership within the BJP at the national level included stints as National Vice-President and membership of the Central Election Committee.
Shri Oram has been no stranger to political battles. In 2009, he lost his Lok Sabha seat, but returned in 2014 with a resounding win over BJD’s Dilip Tirkey, becoming the only BJP MP from Odisha at the time. Once again entrusted with the Tribal Affairs portfolio in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, he announced major initiatives such as creating a detailed map of India’s tribal population to better target welfare schemes. His work has consistently centred on ensuring that development reaches the most marginalised — whether through education, livelihoods, or cultural preservation.
Even as he navigated the challenges of national politics, Shri Oram’s personal life has been deeply rooted in family and community. Married in 1987, he and his wife, Jhingia, raised two daughters. In August 2024, tragedy struck when Jhingia passed away at the age of 58, a loss that shook him deeply but also reinforced his resolve to serve with compassion and strength.
Now, as Union Cabinet Minister of Tribal Affairs in the 18th Lok Sabha, Shri Oram continues to stand as a bridge between India’s tribal heartlands and its highest decision-making platforms. His story is not simply one of political longevity — it is one of purpose. In every speech, policy push, and constituency visit, he carries with him the hopes of communities whose voices often go unheard, and the belief that inclusive development is the truest measure of progress.
Kendudihi may be far from Delhi in miles, but for Shri Jual Oram, every step from his village to the capital has been guided by a single compass — the call to give voice and dignity to his people.
