Governor Discusses With the Officials of the Tribal Affairs Department

Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel has said that originality is a unique talent gifted to the tribal society. All tribes have distinctive originality and talent. Recognising their originality and talent, it is necessary to make efforts to refine, groom them. He said that tribal development works should be conducted in an inclusive manner, in which development of all tribes takes place.

Governor Shri Patel was discussing with the officials of Tribal Affairs Department and Tribal Research Institute at Raj Bhavan on the efforts to promote traditional craftsmanship of the tribes of the state. Principal Secretary to Governor Shri DP Ahuja was also present.

Governor Shri Patel said that efforts for sustainable livelihood of the tribes of the state should be made in a planned and inclusive manner. It should be ensured that the works of livelihood development are carried out in all the 89 tribal-dominant blocks. To preserve and expand tribal craftsmanship, Shri Patel said to organise training programmes, orientation workshops, identify demand centres and markets for tribal artefacts, handicraft products, ensure availability of products, explore new opportunities for display and sale.

Governor Shri Patel stressed on efforts to encourage budding craftsmen and artists of tribal crafts and arts. Along with this, he has told to encourage the creations and products of budding artists in the purchase of government requirements. He said that tribal products should be included in the fairs organised by small and cottage industries. Provide them stalls at concessional rates. Emphasising on the participation of community leadership in tribal conferences, he said that they should be made a medium to disseminate information about the efforts of social welfare and development. In community radio, programmes giving information regarding sickle cell anaemia disease should be organised in a simple and clear format. Public awareness should be created about the disease through subject experts. The Governer has asked for more focus on efforts to promote products of Tribal Self-Help Groups.

Principal Secretary Smt. Pallavi Jain Govil informed about the departmental activities and innovative initiatives. She said that in the upcoming Bhopal Literature Festival, effort is being made to focus one day on tribal literature. Fifty two forts of the state are being identified and developed as tourist destinations. The income from these tourist centres will be given to the local tribal societies. A proposal for food parks at Betul, Khandwa has also been prepared to provide arrangements for the sale of tribal products by processing them. She told that efforts are on to get GI tag for eight tribal arts and Kodo Kutki food grains.