Bhubaneswar: The vibrant 11-day Adivasi Mela, a celebration of Odisha’s tribal life and culture, concluded with a spectacular valedictory ceremony at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground in Unit-I. The event showcased the state’s rich tribal heritage, agricultural abundance, empowerment of tribal women, cultural preservation, and livelihood opportunities.
The Chief Guest for the valedictory ceremony, ST&SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare and Law Minister Shri Jagannath Saraka, graced the occasion, joined by esteemed dignitaries such as Advisor to Special Development Council (SDC) Shri Pradeep Majhi, Advisors to ST&SC Caste Development, Minority Affairs, Backward Classes Affairs, Anwesha and Akankhya Scheme, and other officials.
The Adivasi Mela, organized by the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department, drew over 10 lakh visitors and witnessed a significant business volume exceeding Rs 5 crore.
The major highlights of this year’s Adivasi Mela included a three-day multilingual drama festival, featuring plays in Santali, Desia, Ho, and Mundari languages, focusing on social awareness and multiculturalism. The festival served as a compelling side event during the World Odia Language Conference, emphasizing the importance of mother language-based education.
Another attraction was the display of 10 tribal huts, with seven representing Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and three from other tribal communities. The event also featured dances by 40 troupes from various tribal communities, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the region.
The valedictory ceremony included a diverse array of prize distributions, recognizing outstanding contributions across various categories. Notably, six students excelled in the State Level Tribal Painting Competition, 32 in the State Level Essay Competition in tribal languages, and 104 in the HSC Examination of 2023 from SSD High Schools.
Further honors were extended to 14 students from CBSE Class X Board Exam-2023 at Eklavya Model Residential Schools, along with commendation for nine outstanding tribal individuals for their contributions in agriculture and horticulture. The event also applauded the three best tribal huts showcasing tribal life.
Special recognition was given to the best-performing tribal vendors, members of Women Self Help Groups, and the tribal dance and drama troupe performing on the valedictory day.
In her closing remarks, Smt. Roopa Roshan Sahoo, Commissioner-cum-Secretary ST, SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department, emphasized the commitment to the holistic development, cultural conservation, and welfare of Odisha’s diverse tribal communities, showcasing the state’s rich tribal legacy globally.