Aadi- Mahotsav hit the road in Leh, Ladakh on August 17, 2019 when Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated the National Tribal Festival in Leh. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). Ladakh is one of the highest tribal populated regions in India, with tribals constituting upto 98% of its population. With the help of Aadi Mahotsav, the Government aims to showcase traditional art, handicrafts and cultural heritage of the country for 9 days until August 25, 2019.
Tribals and Adivasis constitute over 8% of the country’s population, which means there over 10 crore tribals and Adivasis in India, a significant number. Tribal festivals are organised under the mandate of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to ensure the advancement of Scheduled Tribes while also preserving, showcasing and promoting the various facets of tribal life relating to their culture, traditions and customs. Likewise, the theme of Aadi Mahotsav 2019 is chosen as “A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce”. It most importantly symbolises the ‘aadi’ way of living.
The inauguration of Aadi Mahotsav highlighted the importance and significance of tribal land, art and culture. It is postulated that such an event is one way towards orderliness in Ladakh after the bifurcation. The major emphasis was given on considering Ladakh as a tribal area under the sixth schedule. Mr. Namgyal, BJP MP from Ladakh appealed to Mr. Munda to declare it a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the interests of its people, replying to which Mr. Munda said he promises do whatever is required from a constitutional perspective to protect them.
Various initiatives have been undertaken for bringing tribal goods into the market. Along with tribal handicrafts, electronic and digital skills of the tribals will be showcased as a special attraction. Efforts have been made to take tribal commerce to the next level of digital and electronic transactions.
Pradeep Krishna, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), said that the ministry will establish Van Dhan, a marketing platform to train tribals to efface middlemen and promote their products. He said that tribals from Ladakh will be registered and empanelled in TRIFED.
Munda added that the ministry will protect the sheep from which pashmina shawl is produced, as they perish during monsoon. “The government plans to set up 3000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVK) across the country this year, which will include 13 such outlets in Ladakh.”
Minister of State for tribal affairs Renuka Singh said the products of tribal artisans were being marketed all over the country through 104 retail outlets run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India. These products are also sent to 190 countries across the world through Amazon, with whom TRIBES India has an agreement along with Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and GEM, a Government of India Portal for e-commerce of the tribal products. Tribal products are also available at TRIBES India’s own e-commerce portal www.tribesindia.com.
Source: https://twitter.com/tribesindia/status/1163116452267773952
Around 160 tribal artisans from more than 20 states across the country have participated in this mega event. The gala event witnessed tribal troupes in their traditional attire, tribal art, music, traditional food and entertainment of India’s traditional tribal way of life full of experience and knowledge.
About the author: Jyotsna Hans is a content writer for Adivasi Lives Matter. She is pursuing her undergraduate degree in law. She is fond of good food, good reads and good places to travel. “Through my articles, I tend to bring all tribal goodness in the limelight”, she says.