The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Aadi Mahotsav, the mega National Tribal Festival at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi today. Aadi Mahotsav is an attempt to showcase tribal culture on the national stage and it celebrates the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce and traditional art. It is an annual initiative of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister paid floral tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and took a walk-through of the stalls at the exhibition.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Aadi Mahotsav is presenting a grand picture of India’s tribal heritage during the Azadi Ka Amirt Mahotsav. The Prime Minister highlighted the prestigious tableau of the tribal societies of India and expressed delight at getting the opportunity to witness the various flavours, colours, adornments, traditions, art and art forms, delicacies and music. He said that the Aadi Mahotsav represents a picture of the diversity and magnificence of India standing together shoulder to shoulder. “The Aadi Mahotsav is like an infinite sky where the diversity of India is projected like the colours of a rainbow”, the Prime Minister remarked. Drawing an analogy to the colours of a rainbow coming together, the Prime Minister said that the nation’s magnificence comes to the fore when its infinite diversities are threaded into the string of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ and that is when India provides guidance to the entire world. He emphasized that the Aadi Mahotsav is giving strength to the unity in diversity of India while giving impetus to the idea of development with heritage.
The Prime Minister said that India of the 21st Century is moving with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. What was considered remote, now, the Prime Minister said, the government is going there on its own and bringing the remote and neglected into the mainstream. He said that events like Aadi Mahotsav have become a movement in the country and he himself participates in many of them. “Welfare of tribal society is also a matter of personal relationship and emotions for me”, said the Prime Minister, remembering his close association with the tribal communities during his days as a social worker. “I have seen your traditions closely, lived them and learnt from them”, the Prime Minister added, remembering spending important years of his life in the tribal belt of Umargam to Ambaji. Tribal life, the Prime Minister continued, “has taught me a great deal about the country and its traditions”.
Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs; Smt Renuka Singh Suruta and Shri Bishweswar Tudu, Ministers of State for Tribal Affairs; Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar , Chairman TRIFED Shri Ramsinh Rathwa and Secretary Tribal Affairs, Shri Anil Kumar Jha were among those present on the occasion.
Addressing the media, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda said that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, the Scheduled Tribes, their strengths, capabilities and heritage are receiving their due importance now. Prime Minister’s gracious presence at this Aadi Mahotsav has enriched the true essence of this celebration and given impetus to the purpose of this National Festival, the Minister added.
The Minister said that today the world acknowledges the tribals of India, all due to the concerted efforts of our Prime Minister to promote the tribal people. His motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas’ has shown us the path to ensure the overall development of the tribal people in a transparent and ideal manner. A tall testament of this progress of tribals is our very own President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu who belongs to a tribal background.
Shri Arjun Munda also said that Aadi Mahotsav celebrates the contributions of our tribal ancestors, the culture of the various unique tribal communities, their sustainable lifestyles and the tribals themselves who have provided indigenous solutions to our modern problems such as Global Warming and shed light on the significance of living in peace and harmony with our natural environment.
On the occasion Prime Minister was presented with several gift items which included Pashmina Wool from from Ladakh; Patchitra painting; Dhokara Sculpture from Chattisgarh and Shree Anna basket. The Prime Minister was also welcomed with a traditional headgear from Tripura.
On the occasion, there were numerous dance performances that oozed with energy and vibrancy. Choreographed by dancer Rani Khanum, the performance included Bagurumba of Assam, Panthi Dance of Chhattisgarh, Gusadi of Telangana, Baiga Pardhauni of Madhya Pradesh, Tamang Selo of Sikkim, Siddhi Dhamal of Gujarat, Purulia Chhau of West Bengal, and Harul dance of Uttarakhand (Harul nritya).
After the event, the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Anil Kumar Jha, interacted with 400 candidates of NCC and NSS who attended the inauguration event.
The Aadi Mahotsav will be organised till 27th February, 2023 at Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
