Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram on Sunday emphasised the urgent need to preserve and promote tribal literature, languages, and traditional knowledge, describing them as priceless treasures of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the All India Tribal Writers’ Conference at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar—organised jointly by Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Sahitya Akademi to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda—the Governor noted that tribal literature reflects the authentic history, philosophy, and lived experiences of indigenous communities. He stated that documenting oral traditions like folk songs, folktales, and proverbs is a collective societal responsibility.
Paying tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Governor Ram remarked that celebrating November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas since 2021 honours the sacrifices of tribal heroes, without whom India’s freedom struggle remains incomplete. Highlighting Odisha’s rich indigenous legacy, he pointed to the Mahendragiri hills and Eastern Ghats as vital centres of tribal faith, noting the deep cultural bond between nature worship, Daru Devata, and Lord Jagannath.
He urged tribal authors to chronicle their struggles and aspirations in their mother tongues, adding that indigenous reverence for Jal, Jangal, and Jamin (water, forest, and land) offers crucial lessons for combating climate change. Furthermore, he called upon universities, publishers, and literary bodies to boost translation and research so that tribal writings from Odisha, Jharkhand, Central India, and the Northeast reach global readers.
Linking cultural preservation to the visions of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047, he advised tribal youth to embrace modern technology while staying rooted in their heritage.
Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Secretary Dr Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, noted writer Dr P. Sivaramakrishna, and Sahitya Akademi Secretary Dr Varun Gulati also addressed the gathering.
