New Delhi: The 9-day celebration of tribal spirit, entrepreneurship, crafts, culture, and commerce, known as the “Aadi Mahotsav – National Tribal Festival,” reached its conclusion on February 18, 2024. The festival, held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, from February 10 to February 18, was inaugurated by Hon’ble President, Smt. Draupadi Murmu. Organized by TRIFED, the event showcased the commitment to empower tribal communities and celebrate their rich heritage.
This year’s highlights included the launch of the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a startup culture and economic innovation among tribal entrepreneurs. The festival served as a unique platform for networking and collaboration, hosting a B2B workshop on February 13, 2024. Industry leaders from organizations such as CII, ASSOCHAM, IFCA, and prominent startups like ITC, Patanjali, and Zomato actively participated, fostering collaborations and market linkages in various segments, including organic products, handicrafts, honey, painting, and artifacts.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Arjun Munda emphasized that Aadi Mahotsav goes beyond showcasing the talent of tribal artisans; it is an effort to display tribal culture, lifestyle, and glorious traditions. The festival plays a pivotal role in empowering tribal youth to become entrepreneurs and producers, contributing to tribal empowerment and self-reliance.
Secretary (Tribal Affairs), Shri Vibhu Nayar, highlighted that Aadi Mahotsav 2024 is a celebration of India’s tribal communities’ rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
The festival attracted over 50,000 visitors who enjoyed tribal cuisine and made purchases ranging from organic products to textiles, handicrafts, paintings, and artifacts. The PM JAN MAN Pavilion showcased the unique cultural heritage of 21 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from 10 States and Union Territories. Additionally, a Van Dhan pavilion provided a platform for 47 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, promoting sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship among tribal communities.
Cultural performances by over 400 tribal artists from 20 States and Union Territories added to the vibrancy of the evenings, presenting captivating performances rooted in tribal rituals, harvest festivals, and unique traditions.
The festival generated cash sales exceeding Rs 1.80 crores, and sales through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network, with 170 tribal artisans onboarded for the first time on the digital platform. Training sessions on social media platforms were conducted for business expansion, with 90 sellers registering through networking participants.
At the closing ceremony, prizes were distributed to the best-performing artisans during Aadi Mahotsav. Several government ministries and organizations collaborated to provide comprehensive support to tribal artisans and entrepreneurs, covering aspects such as finance, healthcare, skill development, postal services, and entrepreneurship.
Aadi Mahotsav 2024 stands as a testament to the collective effort to empower tribal communities, preserve their cultural heritage, and foster socio-economic development.
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