Indian Tribal News Service
New Delhi : With the week-long festivities of the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in full swing, as many as 17 States held inaugural events showcasing tribal culture and heritage and many have either concluded holding exhibitions or festivals or continue holding them. The festivities will end on November 22.
The Government claimed “over 2 lakh people from the tribal communities” joined the PM in Bhopal as he virtually inaugurated the Birsa Munda Museum and Memorial Park in Ranchi.
Andhra Pradesh is organising a 5-day State- Level Tribal Craft Mela (Exhibition- cum- sale) from November 15–19 at the GVMC Ground at RK Beach, where the tribal cultural groups presented Dhimsa, Kommu, Savara, Koya, and Chenchu dances.
While Arunachal Pradesh organised a remembrance ceremony for Birsa Munda in the primary schools of EMRS with a painting, song and extempore speech competitions conducted in two different districts, Chhattisgarh organized a 2-day Tribal Craft Mela from November 15-17 “to promote, preserve and popularise traditional tribal art and craft to help tribal artisans look for better opportunities through cross-cultural interactions”.
Gujarat is organising ‘Traditional Tribal Crafts, Food, Herbal Sales and Exhibition Fair’ to showcase traditional tribal art and craft, tribal organic food items, traditional tribal herbs and tribal dances to help the tribal community find more employment opportunities and exhibit their talent.
Manipur is organising a 3-Day state-level workshop on skill upgradation in tribal art and paintings, aimed at enhancing the skills of tribal artists and promoting creativity to widen the window of opportunities available to them. Kerala conducted a workshop on the Forest Rights Act.
Jharkhand organised a blood donation camp, launched 45 books, released primers and grammar books on Malto, Bhumij, Asur and Birhore, A documentary on Mal Paharia, Banjara, Kondh, Karmali, Karma and Sorhrai was released.
Meghalaya held a special programme at Kongthong Song and Whistling Village over the weekend to acknowledge the unique cultural practices of the village as part of the ongoing celebrations of Tribal Pride Week.
The event highlighted the valiant efforts of tribal freedom fighters and the overall contributions made by the tribal community to nation-building.
While Mizoram earmarked the start of the festivities by organising an on-the-spot painting competition on the portrait of Birsa Munda at Aizawl Art gallery, Nagaland organised an event on catapult target hitting.
Odisha in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs organised a national webinar on ‘Contributions of Birsa Munda to struggle for India’s Independence’ which is expected to go a long way in unravelling and foregrounding many hidden truths about the tribal legend. Uttarakhand also conducted various cultural activities as part of the festivities.
