Bhubaneswar: The stage is all set for the eagerly anticipated Annual Adivasi Mela-2024, scheduled to take place at Adivasi Exhibition Ground, Unit-I, near Sishu Bhawan Square, from January 26 to February 5.
This vibrant cultural extravaganza will feature stalls in the traditional Adivasi Haat and Tribal Art and Crafts segment, erected by 22 Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), 17 Micro Project Areas (MPAs), and various line departments of the State Government. The event promises a delightful experience for the general public, with the ground open from 2:30 pm to 9 pm.
Reviewing the arrangements, Secretary SC ST Development, Roopa Roshan Sahoo, and Director Tribal Affairs & SCSTRTI, Indramani Tripathy, are ensuring a seamless and culturally rich event.
The Annual Adivasi Mela, a flagship initiative of the SC ST Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department, draws visitors from the State Capital and nearby regions. It serves as a platform to showcase tribal life, anthropology, and provides a marketplace for the sale of agricultural products, minor forest produce, and craft materials. The event will also feature beautiful tribal dances, a multilingual drama festival in tribal languages, a drama presented by the SC/ST Development Department Cultural Association, and a Bhajan Sandhya.
One of the highlights is the creation of life-size Adivasi Gaon (tribal huts) exhibiting the lifestyle and culture of various tribal communities and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). This year, the tribal huts will include representations from Kutia Kandha, Santhal, Paudi Bhuyan, Hill Khadia and Mankirdia, Juanga Munda, Gadaba, Dongria Kandha, Lanjia Saora, Bonda, and Chuktia Bhunjia.
From January 26 to February 1, 39 cultural groups will showcase captivating tribal dances, complemented by a Bhajan Sandhya on January 30, and a drama by the SC ST Development Department Cultural Association on February 2. Additionally, multilingual dramas by different tribal communities will be organized between February 3 and 5.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) associated with ITDAs and MPAs will have the opportunity to exhibit their products and craft items during the mega event. To enhance convenience, the fair will provide cashless transaction facilities through digital payment options.
To uphold environmental sustainability, the use of plastics and polythene is strictly prohibited during the event, and violators will be penalized. Several line departments and organizations, including Mission Shakti, ORMAS, Millet Mission, Handloom Textiles and Handicrafts, Planning and Convergence, I&PR, and institutions like SCSTRTI, Academy of Tribal Languages and Culture (ATLC), Tribal Museum, and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, will actively participate in the fair.