Nabarangpur, Aug 14 [UDN}: Nabarangpur turned into a sea of people on Sunday as thousands of tribal community members gathered to mark World Tribal Day (August 9) and raise their voices for tribal rights, dignity, identity and cultural preservation.
Around 50,000 tribal people and representatives of various tribal organisations from different parts of the district participated in the district-level programme. A massive procession began from Chamuria Guda, with participants dressed in traditional attire and performing traditional dances and music. The procession passed through Nabarangpur town and culminated at a ground near the Circuit House, where a public meeting was held.
Participants raised several demands through placards and slogans, including district-based employment, implementation of PESA provisions, making Nabarangpur completely alcohol-free, filling reserved government posts for tribal communities, easier access to bank loans, and an end to illegal mining and sand transportation. They also demanded that August 9, World Tribal Day, be declared a government holiday.
Tribal leaders highlighted issues relating to land, forests and water rights, along with the need for better education, employment opportunities and socio-economic development.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, who attended the event as the chief guest, said the government is giving priority to the development of tribal communities. Nabarangpur MLA and District Planning Committee Chairman Gouri Shankar Majhi said the massive gathering demonstrated the unity of the tribal community for its rights, identity, culture and development.
MLAs Manohar Randhari and Narsingh Bhatra, former MPs and MLAs, tribal organisation leaders, block-level office-bearers and representatives of various organisations also attended the programme.
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