Ranchi
Music, dance and festivities marked the vibrant start of the two-day Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav, being organised at the Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan in Ranchi, on Friday.
It began with a colourful display of various tribal dance forms and traditional music. Several stalls from all over the country showcasing tribal art, culture, literature and cuisines are attracting large numbers of visitors. And, there is no entry fee!
Jharkhand’s new Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar inaugurated the event, which is into its third year. Jharkhand Coordination Committee chairman and Rajya Sabha member Shibu Soren, who also happens to be one of the pioneers of Jharkhand statehood movement, was the guest of honour. Chief Minister Hemant Soren presided over the function.
In his address, Hemant Soren repeated that his government was committed to stand by the commoners through thick and thin, come what may. He reminded the people of the State that they reposed faith in him in 2019 and since then he has been trying his best to live up to their expectations. Many societies came into existence only after the Adivasi samaj, he said adding the Adivasis need to resolve to ensure the progress of the tribal society.
Governor Gangwar utilised the occasion to ask Soren to implement the PESA Act at the earliest in the State and also to ensure students benefitted from the scholarships. While he pointed out how a tribal Droupadi Murmu faced great difficulties in pursuing her education and said one should take inspiration from her.
As many as 12 books dealing with Mawndo, Korwa, Sabar and Paharia grammar, Birsa Munda’s biography, Paharia children book, Tribal Cuisines of Jharkhand, Socio-Religious Tribal Movements and Tribal Philosophy were released.
A State-level sports competition too began at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium. Slingshot (Gulel), traditional archery, Sekko, Gedi run, football and hockey matches are among the major events being held at the stadium.
And, inching a step forward to safeguard the rights of tribals over jal, jungle and jameen (water, forest and land), 257 community forest land lease deeds involving 73,583 acre lands were settled. On Friday, Simdega natives got 2,289.5 acres, Sahibganj – 99 acres, Bokaro – 919.25 acres and Gumla – 11.37 acres.
