Bhubaneswar: The much-anticipated Adivasi Mela-2024, an annual celebration of Odisha’s tribal heritage, was inaugurated today at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground here in the city. Jagannath Saraka, the Minister of ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, graced the event and inaugurated the vibrant fair that promises to showcase the diverse culture, traditions, anthropological narratives, and an array of products from different tribal regions of the state.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the ST & SC Development department, Roopa Roshan Sahoo, along with Indramani Tripathy, Director, SCSTRTI & Member Secretary, Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC), and other senior officials, marked their presence at the inaugural ceremony.
Tribal talents across various domains were recognized and honored with Rs 10,000 cash awards and citations during the ‘Adivasi Pratibha Samman’ ceremony, adding a celebratory spirit to the event.
Minister Jagannath Saraka, addressing the inauguration, shared the plan to establish a permanent facility in the state capital to facilitate effective market linkages for tribal produce and crafts. This initiative aims to empower tribal Self-Help Group (SHG) groups, enabling them to elevate their business potential.
Highlighting the historical journey of the Adivasi Mela, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Roopa Roshan Sahoo mentioned its 70-year eventful run since its inception in 1951 in Cuttack before moving to Bhubaneswar in 1954.
As a part of the sideline events during the Adivasi Mela, a multilingual drama festival featuring different tribal communities is scheduled between February 3 and 5. This coincides with the World Odia Language Conference in the city, adding a cultural extravaganza to the overall celebration.
The Adivasi Mela will run until February 5, welcoming visitors from 2:30 pm to 9 pm. Cultural events by various tribal troupes are scheduled between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, providing a captivating experience for attendees.
This year’s edition boasts 66 stalls under the Tribal Haat, showcasing diverse tribal products, including Kandhamal ‘haldi,’ millet products, minor forest produce, and freshly procured strawberries from Sunabeda. Anticipating a surge in transactions, officials predict that this year’s Adivasi Mela will surpass the Rs 5 crore business turnover achieved in the previous year.
With 39 cultural troupes from different districts lined up for performances, the Adivasi Mela promises an immersive experience into the rich cultural tapestry of Odisha’s tribal communities.
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