Aadi Mahotsav – National Tribal Festival successfully concluded today with sales of more than Rs 3.0 crores . “Aadi Mahotsav”, was organised from 16 to 27 February, 2023 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
The closing ceremony today evening was graced by Sh. Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs ;Sh. Bhupender Yadav, Cabinet Minister for Labour & Employment; and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Smt. M C Mary Kom, Brand Ambassador, TRIFED-Tribes India where the participants were recognized for displaying exceptional talent, showcasing the traditional art which the nation is proud of.
On the occasion Shri Arjun Munda said that the tribals have been conserving and preserving natural resources since time immemorial. They are the protectors of environment which is the need of the hour in view of global warming and climate change, the Minister explained. In such a situation, the tribals have crucial role to pay with their nature and environment friendly way of life, he added.
Sh Arjun Munda said that it is a matter of great pride for tribals that the Prime Minister inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav, interacted with them and showed keen interest in their products. The Aadi Mahotsav is special since it sells products derived from Jungle and Jameen , which are natural and organic.
Shri Arjun Munda also said that 29 PVTGs from 9 States/ UTs participated in the event. He further informed that an exclusive pavilion for the sale and display of Van Dhan products was also put up and 39 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras from 17 States/UTs also participated in this Mahotsav.
Shri Arjun Munda also said that the high volume of sales in Aadi Mahotsav shows people’s preference for items produced naturally by tribals and having good quality. He said that as per Prime Minister’s vision and food habits of tribals, millets stalls were set up and a good sale is recorded of the millets and millet based food from these stalls. Union Minister also said that it is our aim to provide market to the SHGs producing in far flung areas and uphold the spirit of Ek Bharath Shrestha Bharat.
On the occasion Shri Bhupender Yadav said that as PM Shri Narendra Modi ji stated, the event was a reminder that the lifestyle adopted by India’s tribal people is a lesson to the world in sustainable lifestyle.
He also added that the tribal way of life contributes to sustainability because it is the way of life which is conducive to environment, humanity and the whole planet. It is the endeavour of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to work closely with Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED in the area of Forest rights and livelihoods for tribals.
At the closing ceremony prizes were distributed to the best performing artisans during Aadi Mahotsav.
In Aadi Mahotsav on the invitation of MoTA National Health Authority (NHA) installed Canopy from 22nd of February 2023 in Dhyan Chand stadium. During these six days more than 4 thousand visitors visited NHA stall and inquired about both the schemes of NHA.During this period more than 600 Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) cards for artisans and visitors, and 16 Ayushman Bharat card for the Artisans from different states were created.
The theme of the festival was “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Entrepreneurship, Crafts, Culture, Cuisine and Commerce”, which represents the basic ethos of tribal life.
The festival featured exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, handloom, paintings, jewellery, cane & bamboo, pottery, food & natural products, gifts & assortment, tribal cuisine and much more through 234 stalls.
The biggest achievement was the “First Timers” of VDVKs who were given a platform to showcase their art. TRIFED strives to encourage the beginners to bring to fore their talent.
About 1011 nos. of tribal artisans, artists, healers, chefs and cultural troupes participated in the Aadi Mahotsav.
To commemorate International Year of Millets and create awareness and increase production & consumption of millets, 38 stalls put up by tribal artisans/ cooks from 13 States/ UTs displayed & sold millet products and cuisines.
The Aadi Mahotsav has proved to be a boon for tribal artisans by providing direct access to large markets with approx footfall of approx. 50,000.
Convergences:
Tribal Freedom Fighters Gallery
Stories of Tribal Freedom fighters through National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) and narration of their Stories through NCZCC.
EMRS
Dissemination of information on the Educational & Technology driven interventions by National Educational Society about high achievers alumni in different fields and at EMRS schools.
NSTFDC
Dissemination of information by NSTFDC on various schemes and financial support being provided for Scheduled Tribes including Tribal Entrepreneurs & Tribal Startups.
Ministry of Skill Development & Enterprise
3 day workshop on marketing linkages, digital marketing, online loan etc was organised for 150 participating tribal artisans.
Department of Posts
Showcasing their scheme in remote areas including display of tribal philately. Besides, a workshop on Postal life insurance, Rural Postal Life Insurance, Post Office savings scheme and India Post Payments Bank was organised for participants. During the course of this event, India Post Payment Bank Merchant account, Savings account, Sunkanya account, Accidental insurance and India Post life insurance and updation of Aadhars of participants was processed on spot.
Ministry of Ayush
Showcasing their scheme in Traditional & Non-Conventional Systems of Health Care and Healing including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy etc. Besides, campaign for on-spot counter for preparation of Ayushman card for participating tribal artisans was also setup during the event. During the period of event, more than 600 Nos of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and Ayushman Bharat Cards was generated for participants.
Yoga break was organised twice a day for all participating tribal artisans and visitors during the course of Aadi Mahotsav.
DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
ODOP mapped and tagged the overlapping 21 tribal products at the TRIBES India store at the ongoing Aadi Mahotsav.
