Assam: Tribal Affairs Ministry organises exhibition for artisans, entrepreneurs from Adivasi communities

Over 200 artisans and artists from Adivasi communities of different states are participating in the festival from across the country.

 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, along with the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) organised an eight-day long “Purvottar Aadi Mahotsav” – a National Tribal Festival to celebrate and promote the craft, cuisine and culture of the Adivasi community.

Organised at the Veterinary College Playground, Khanapara in Guwahati, the Mahotsav featured an exhibition consisting of 104 stalls including 10 food stalls and 84 number stalls of craft, jewellery, textile handicrafts, art, and paintings by Adivasi communities.

Over 200 artisans and artists from Adivasi communities of different states are participating in the festival from across the country.

Several tribal artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs from Assam and other parts of the northeast region expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiatives taken by the Centre for the development and upliftment of the tribal community.

Dalimi Pait, a Mising (Mishing) tribe weaver and entrepreneur of Assam‘s Dhemaji district told ANI that she was benefitting from the government’s initiatives.

“I am selling handloom products. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing good work for the tribal community. Two months ago, I sold my handloom products worth Rs 3.71 lakh under the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). I am very happy with the work done by the Modi government. Earlier, I didn’t had a proper platform to sell my handloom products and my income was limited, but now my income is also increasing. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Dipali Pait said.

The Mahotsav comprises of display and sale of items of Adivasi art and craft, tribal medicine and healers, Adivasi cuisine and a display of Adivasi folk performances, in which, artisans, chefs, folk dancers/musicians from 13 states of the country are participating.

Phudang Rebon Tokbipi, a young entrepreneur from Karbi Anglong district of Assam told ANI that the initiatives taken by the government will definitely encourage the tribal people and will make self-employment.

“I am very thankful to the government and TRIFED who are organising such a beautiful event. I believe that with this platform, many artisans will be able to get benefits and they will get opportunities like weaving, making trade, learning designing etc. This platform will give us lots of opportunities. Definitely, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up so many initiatives for the tribal people,” she said.

“Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana and many other schemes are going on, but many people are not aware of this and don’t know how to utilise it. But by organising this type of event, many people will know about it. This initiative will encourage the tribal people to be self-employment. I thank the Prime Minister,” Tokbipi added.

Sumgailu, 22-year-old entrepreneur from Dimapur of Nagaland said, “I am thankful to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to give us this opportunity to showcase our products.”

“We are getting the benefits because the government is doing well for us. We are very grateful to the Prime Minister,” Sumgailu added.

Meanwhile, Partha Pratim Talukdar, Principal Consultant of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati said that one particular scheme Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana was especially for the tribal beneficiaries.

“In Assam, we are forming Van Dhan Kendras with small Self Help Groups around 15-20 groups consisting of 300 women beneficiaries. The Modi government is very pro-active to give benefits to the tribal people. Another new scheme is scheduled to come up on November 15 as Janjati Gaurav Divas,” Talukdar said.
“In Assam, we have 471 Van Dham Kendras and for each Van Dhan Kendras Rs 15 lakh has been sanctioned for development, many skill development training to make self-sufficient, enhance the livelihood, to produce products. The tribal people are now getting benefits from it,” he added. (ANI)

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