Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16th February inaugurated National Tribal Festival Aadi Mahotsav at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi. The agenda of this festival is to showcase to the world the diversity in tribal culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce and traditional art.
The Aadi Mahotsav festival is an annual initiative organized by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) under the umbrella guidance of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The duration of this colossal festival is from 16th-27th February 2024. The festival hosts approximately 200 stalls which will showcase the rich and widespread legacy of the tribal community from across India.
Source- Hindustan Times
Participation from almost 1000 tribal artisans is expected at this festival. This year being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, a special focus would be put on exhibiting Millets or what our finance minister called it as “Shree Anna- Mother of all grains”.
TRIBAL POPULATION IN INDIA
India encompasses as the second-largest tribal population country in the world. According to the census conducted in 2011, Scheduled Tribes constitute 8.6 percent of the country’s total population. They are spread across the country and their residence is concentrated majorly in the hilly and forest regions of the country.
Article 342 of the Indian Constitution confers the President with the powers with regard to any state or UT to specify a particular tribal community or a group within a tribal community to be given the status of Schedule Tribe in order to safeguard their interests and to uplift them.
Madhya Pradesh is the highest tribal population state followed by Orissa and then Maharashtra.
Source- Research Gate
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN VARIOUS AREAS
In order to encourage sustainable economic growth for the tribal communities the Modi government in 2022 launched the scheme, Local to Global. The effective promotion of these tribal goods in the consumer market will not only help in their economic development but will also act as boost for the Indian Economy. Unaware of the market and consumer demands, tribal communities generally do not tend to realize the scope of their indigenous products in the domestic as well as international markets.
The Government in 1987 established TRIFED, a national-level cooperative body with its main objective being the socio-economic development of the Tribal community by encouraging the trade of Minor Forest produce and Surplus Agricultural Produce. TRIFED has been successful in launching a chain of retail outlet stores known by the name of “TRIBES INDIA”.
Source- Ministry of Tribal Affairs
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs going a step further in 2013 introduced a mechanism for marketing of these Minor Forest Products through Minimum Support Prices and the development of a value chain for the social safety of forest gathers.
The Government in 2018 with TRIFED launched “VAN DHAN VIKAS YOJNA” for promoting and backing tribal entrepreneurship. Under this, they established a vast network of Van Dhan Kendras in tribal areas all across the country to ensure adequate availability of employment for the tribal population and increase their income.
IMPACT OF NATIONAL TRIBAL FESTIVAL AADI MAHOTSAV
The government adheres to its slogan of “SABKA SAATH, SABKA VIKAS” , with Aadi Mahotsav Festival celebrating the spirit and aura of tribal culture, and also acting as a mode through which the general public can aware and educate themselves regarding the richness of tribal culture. The extensive spread of stalls help in bringing to the forefront the specialization and distinctive attributes of various products made by the diverse tribal population of our country . Through these festivals a sense of connectivity and a feeling of belonginess can be inculcated amongst people from different regions.
