Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram officially opened the eight-day National Tribal Festival, known as “Purvottar Aadi Mahotsav,” in Guwahati, Assam, on November 8. Organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), the festival celebrates the diverse tribal cultures, crafts, cuisines, and commerce across the country. The event, taking place at the Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara, will continue until November 15. More than 200 tribal artisans and artists from across India are participating, presenting a rich variety of traditional arts, crafts, textiles, jewelry, and food. The festival features 104 stalls, including 84 for crafts and textiles, and 10 for showcasing authentic tribal cuisine, providing visitors with an immersive experience of India’s tribal heritage.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Minister Oram highlighted the government’s continued commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities. He shared that the central government has allocated ₹3.5 lakh crore this year to support tribal welfare initiatives, reflecting the importance placed on their development. Additionally, Oram announced plans to construct 25,000 km of roads in tribal regions, aimed at improving infrastructure and connectivity in these areas. He also revealed that the nation will celebrate “Janjati Gaurav Divas” on November 15 to honor tribal pride, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to participate in the event in Jamui, Bihar.
Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Assam’s Minister for Higher Education and Tribal Affairs, praised several government programs such as the PM Van Dhan Yojana and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for their role in promoting tribal enterprises and improving livelihoods. He emphasized the importance of effective packaging, branding, and marketing of tribal products, which help ensure that tribal communities receive greater economic benefits from their crafts and natural resources. With an emphasis on how these groups are influencing the future of the nation, the festival’s theme, “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine, and Commerce,” intends to highlight the artistic, cultural, and economic contributions made by India’s tribal populations.
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