Respecting the rich culture and traditions of tribal communities, the Biju Janata Dal observed Biswa Adivasi Diwas and Kranti Diwas at Sankha Bhawan.
The programme was organised under the leadership of the Biju Janata Dal Tribal Cell. At the beginning of the programme, floral tributes were paid in the early morning to the statues of great tribal personalities at various places.
Thereafter, at the general meeting organised at Sankha Bhawan, BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik joined the programme and addressed the gathering. Senior Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra coordinated the programme, while Media Coordinator and tribal leader Dr Priyabrata Majhi conducted the proceedings on the stage.
Tribal brothers and sisters welcomed Naveen Patnaik to the stage with traditional dances and songs. Naveen Patnaik paid floral tributes to the portraits of freedom fighters and paid his respects to their sacrifices.
Addressing the general meeting, Naveen Patnaik said that during the Biju Janata Dal government, several landmark programmes were initiated for the development and empowerment of tribal communities. The BJD government had taken several steps to empower tribal people by promoting development in various fields, ranging from higher education to livelihoods and means of income.
During the BJD government, Panchayats were given rights over the collection of forest produce, thousands of hostels were established, the Anwesha programme was introduced to facilitate higher education, and forest land rights were provided, thereby connecting tribal brothers and sisters with the process of development. Tribal development was also promoted through the Special Development Councils (SDCs). The Biju Janata Dal had submitted a proposal to the Central Government for the inclusion of 169 tribal communities in the Scheduled Tribe list.
The Biju Janata Dal is the best friend of tribal brothers and sisters. Tribal empowerment is the goal of the Biju Janata Dal. The Biju Janata Dal has always remained committed to the development and welfare of tribal communities. The BJD’s struggle will continue to promote and protect the culture and traditions of tribal communities and ensure their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
On the occasion, Tribal Cell Chairman Mangala Kisan, Mayurbhanj District President and former Minister Sudam Marndi, and former MLA and Koraput District President Manas Madkami, in their respective addresses, praised the work and initiatives undertaken by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the development of tribal communities. They said that under his dynamic leadership, the Biju Janata Dal remains firmly committed to giving a new dimension to the development and empowerment of tribal communities.
At the general meeting organised at Sankha Bhawan, Pramila Mallik, Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Sujata Rout, Tukuni Sahu, Ashok Panda, Ananta Narayan Jena, Sushant Rout, Sulochana Das, Manjulata Kanhar, Dr Debashish Marandi, Manmath Routray, Chinmay Sahu, Ipsita Sahu, Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Bijay Nayak, Priti Ranjan Ghadai, Rajendra Sahu, Pradeep Sahu, Sarada Jena, Sharmistha Sethi, Ranjita Sahu, Damayanti Majhi, Ramaranjan Baliarsingh, Madhab Sardar, Basanti Singh, Nandalal Singh, and others were present. Bharati Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
